What is Anti-Social Behaviour?
What is Anti-Social Behaviour?
The Crime and Disorder Act (1998) defined anti-social behaviour as 'acting in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household [as the defendant]'.
Some examples of anti-social behaviour are:
- Aggressive and threatening behaviour
- Intimidation and/or harassment by others
- Verbal abuse (intentional or unintentional)
- Damage to property
- Inconsiderate disposal of household rubbish
- Fly-tipping (illegal dumping of rubbish)
- Inconsiderate parking of vehicles
- Abandoned vehicles
- Noise nuisance
- Nuisance caused by drug dealing or drug taking
- Graffiti
- Nuisance caused by pets
- Fouling of public areas
- Racial harassment
- Youths congregating in an intimidating way
Why does it happen?
There are a variety of factors which increase the risk of anti-social behaviour. The more of these which are present, the more likely someone is to become involved in anti-social behaviour.
Parenting
Poor parenting skills, a weak parent/child relationship and a family history of problem behaviour.
School
Truancy, exclusion and unchallenged bad behaviour.
Community life
Living in deprived areas with disorder and neglect, lack of community spirit, living in areas with an already high-level of anti-social behaviour.
Individual factors
Drug and alcohol abuse, alienation and early involvement in anti-social behaviour.
There are a range of supportive interventions available which can help individuals and/or their parents and families change their own behaviour and enable them to tackle some of the underlying problems.
