Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), is a product of general disorder in local communities and is often blamed on young people amusing themselves without appreciation of consequences for others - but this is not always the case.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Strategies need to be designed through community effort to specifically tackle the problem, while combining with other initiatives that are aimed at different types of socio-economic decay. Disorder often occurs in areas where economic opportunity is minimal and social amenities for young people are either inadequate or non-existent, facilitating behaviour that is not always socially acceptable.
Young people congregating in publice places may not be anti-social or illegal in itself, however actions such as being boisterous or using obscene language can make others feel unsafe.
The importance of tackling ASB cannot be underestimated, especially when looked at within the wider context of crime and general societal disorder. Criminological suppositions such as the ‘Broken Windows' theory posits that an increase in disorder will inevitably lead to an increase in more serious criminal activity. Others note that disorder and crime occur at the same time stimulated by a lack of collective efficacy and structural characteristics (such as rubbish in the street and graffiti) which promotes feelings of unrest.
As such, activities such as people fighting, throwing missiles, engaging in acts of criminal damage, loitering or harassing passers-by inevitably leads to residents staying in-doors as much as possible - leading to decreased social efficacy, lower levels of connectedness with their community and a heightened fear of crime.
Neighbourhood Watch has the potential to create the atmosphere within which social efficacy can be established, however the formalised structure may be off-putting to many would-be participants. The central message of Neighbourhood Watch - looking out for others - may prompt informal participation such as making an effort to meet the neighbours. It is argued that where there is a level of cohesion and mutual trust, there is a greater likelihood that neighbours will ‘band together' in a bid to decrease disorder.
Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour
There are essentially three ways that Anti-Social Behaviour can be tackled:
- Police target ASB offences more rigorously.
- Residents increase the level of community cohesion.
- Structural and environmental alterations (such as Designing Out Crime) reduce physical disorder.
Long Term Plan
It is crucial in all strategies to combat crime that long-term plan is put into place to ensure that facilities for young people are constructed and structural alterations such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles ensure that crime prevention does not stop when the project reaches its conclusion.
Melville City Council and Garden City Shopping Centre management in conjunction with Hoyts Cinemas and the Public Transport Authority (as adjacent land users) have developed a ‘Garden City Precinct Protocol'. The protocol outlines behaviour that is unacceptable at Garden City and the possible consequences should it occur. These strategies should be supported by government and the community as a step toward effectively curtailing ASB.
Many shopping centres have employed other techniques to dissuade young people from loitering, ranging from the innovative (playing classical music through the centre's public address system) to the use of security guards.
Potentially, other policy responses to ASB include:
- Current initiatives such as truancy and parenting contracts need to be better integrated with general whole of government strategies.
- Housing and urban renewal projects need to continue in a bid to reduce disorder.
- Initiatives need to be contained within wider crime prevention strategies such as Burglar Beware - any scheme needs to rolled-out expeditiously.
- Legislation similar to that in the UK which specifically targets ASB should be considered if it is found that existing statutes are ineffective including the introduction of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders or other such means of enforcement.
It is crucial that in combating the incidence of ASB, strategies developed and implemented do not unfairly impinge on the rights of often already marginalised sections of society, such as young people. By integrating such approaches within wider whole of government strategies, active deterrent methods including arrest and the issuing of fines, are balanced by more passive means, such as changes to the physical environment making it less attractive to many forms of ASB including loitering and graffiti.
One of the main difficulties with ASB is that it isn't widely reported - so we aren't altogether sure how prevalent it is.
Children
It is important to positively work with children to encourage pro-social behaviour. One Perth group doing just that is The Game Factory.
Designing Out Crime
RAC believes that Designing Out Crime is one important way to combat all types of criminal behaviour including anti-social behaviour. It is a planning tool which includes extra street lighting, no bushes or mixed land-use. Many crimes occur when the offender doesn't believe they will be seen - Designing Out Crime ensures they will be.
Disclaimer
This information is provided by Royal Automobile Club (WA) Inc (RAC) voluntarily as a public service. It has been prepared in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication. Nonetheless, the reliability and accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed and the RAC expressly disclaims liability for any act or omission done or not done in reliance on the information and for any consequences, whether direct or indirect, arising from such act or omission. This information is intended to be a guide only and readers should obtain their own independent advice and their own necessary inquiries.