How we are tackling Anti Social Behaviour in Fareham

 

The Council has a range of tools to tackle anti-social behaviour. The Community Safety Team regularly meets with other agencies to identify current community issues and works together with them to focus on solutions. Fareham Borough Council believes that anti-social behaviour should be dealt with through preventative, diversionary and supportive action, as well as enforcement action.

Some of the tools available to us include:

 

• Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC)
• Parenting Orders
• Dispersal Orders
• Anti social Behaviour Orders (ASBO)
• Youth Inclusion and Support Panels (YISP)
• Reprimand clinic
• Warning Interviews
• Multi-Agency Meetings at Schools (MAM)
• Home or School visits

ABC’S or Acceptable Behaviour Contracts:

These are voluntary agreements between a person who has been involved in anti-social behaviour and one or more local agency whose role it is to help prevent such anti-social behaviour e.g. the Police or School. Acceptable Behaviour Contracts can be used for any person aged 10 years and over (in exceptional circumstances we use them for persons under the age of 10 years) and are our preferred course of action where young people are concerned. The contracts set out clearly the type of behaviour that must not continue. Where possible the contract is drawn up with the individual so that they recognise the impact of their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. Support to address the underlying causes of the behaviour is usually offered in parallel to the contract. These may include diversionary activities for the young person or support for the family.

The contracts last for approximately 6 months and are reviewed on a regular basis. If an ABC is breached then evidence may be gathered with a view to applying for an ASBO.

Parenting Agreements/Contracts: 

These can be used alongside Acceptable Behaviour Contracts as it is important to engage with parents in enforcing the change in their child’s behaviour. The contract contains a statement by the parent(s) agreeing to comply with the requirements for a specified period and a statement from the supporting agency agreeing to provide the necessary support to the parents to comply with the requirements.   

Dispersal Orders: 

These orders are used for areas where there is a persistent problem of large groups of youths gathering in areas and causing intimidation to residents, damage to property often exacerbated by under-age drinking. The Police together with the Council give authorisation to designate an area with a Dispersal Order. A Dispersal Order gives the police the power to disperse groups of two or more persons in the designated area, and not to return to for 24 hours.  Dispersals Orders are designed to protect all members of the community including young people. They last for a period of 6 months, but can be extended if needed. 

ASBO’s or Anti Social Behaviour Orders:

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are issued by the courts and can be made for any person aged 10 or over. They are civil orders that exist to protect the public from serious behaviour that makes life a misery for communities. The order sets out a list of behaviours that the defendant is prohibited from doing, or locations from which they are prohibited from going to. An Anti-Social Behaviour Order can last for a minimum of two years and a breach can incur a fine, a prison sentence (up to 5 years), or a combination of both. An application for an Anti-Social Behavior Order will not be taken lightly and will only be used in the most serious of cases.

YISP:

YISP stands for Youth Inclusion and Support Panels.YISP is part of the Wessex Youth Offending Team and is a service for young people aged 8-13 years old and their families. These young people will be at risk of offending but have not yet received a Final Warning from the police.  We aim to divert the young people from getting involved in offending or anti-social behaviour in the future. There are two Case Workers who work within the Fareham area. They work intensively with young people who are identified and bring these cases to multi-agency panels, who help to put together action plans. The plans will usually include one-to-one, group and activity-based work. For more information on YISP please see YISP Information (72 Kb)

Reprimand clinics

A reprimand is a formal caution issued by the police which can be used as an alternative to court if the offence is admitted and not of a serious nature.

Reprimand or caution clinics were introduced in March 2007 to try and intervene at an early stage with individuals who have received a reprimand. Individuals are invited to a meeting with the ASB (anti social behaviour) Officer and the area Sergeant at the local police station. At the meeting the ASB Officer will discuss a wide range of issues with the individual and their parents to see whether the offence indicates an emerging pattern of ASB or whether the incident could be a momentary error of judgement. Courses of action taken by the ASB Officer after the reprimand clinic could be, for example, a referral to a partner agency that offers services or support. Additionally the ASB Officer may also start to put in place ABC (Acceptable Behaviour Contract) proceedings.

Warning Interviews

The ASB (anti social behaviour) Officer conducts warning interviews for those who need to recognise the consequences of their behaviour. The individual will be invited to attend a meeting to discuss their behaviour and issues surrounding such behaviour. The interview is accompanied by a clear outline of the consequences of repeating the behaviour. This could be for example an ABC, parenting order or injunction. However it is also an opportunity to divert the individual towards services or support that can help them to stop the undesired behaviour, and help them to recognise the impact their behaviour is having on others.

Multi- agency meetings (MAM)

The ASB (anti social behaviour) Officer attends meetings with the boroughs schools and other agencies on a regular basis to discuss if early intervention is needed to support pupils whose behaviour is causing concern.

Home or school visits

The ASB (anti social behaviour) Officer can in some cases, visit the home of reported individuals to conduct a warning interview or explain that their name has been brought to the ASB Officers attention. This gives parents an opportunity to address any identified problem areas. The ASB Officer can also visit individuals at school. Parents are informed in advance of these visits and are invited.

For further information please about tackling anti-social behaviour please contact a member of the Community Safety Team on 01329 236100 or e-mail antisocialbehaviour@fareham.gov.uk.