Listen
Review of antisocial behaviour
28/07/2008
Around 100 professionals and experts from local government, police, voluntary groups, academia and media gather in Edinburgh today to discuss how to better prevent and tackle antisocial behaviour in Scotland's communities.
The Scottish Government launched a review of the 'ASB' strategy in October - three years after laws passed by the last Scottish Parliament to help councils and police tackle lower-level disorder, came into force.
The review aims to identify how legislative and non-legislative measures can be improved to support safe, strong communities and the event takes place at the headquarters of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said:
"The review has already brought together a wide range of stakeholders who deal with antisocial behaviour in our communities. I'm delighted that so many expert voices have agreed to contribute through today's seminar.
"This joint effort will help us identify the improvements most needed to deliver for communities who for too long have suffered from disorder on their streets.
"There already seems to be broad agreement on the need for more prevention and early intervention, better agency co-ordination and greater public involvement to tackle the real problems faced by communities.
"As I've said before, the review is not about repealing laws but about being smarter in how government, local agencies and crucially our communities are empowered to work together to prevent and tackle problems.
"That must include tackling causes as well as symptoms, being pro-active not just reactive, and monitoring success through outcomes for our communities rather than just comparing agencies' use of a particular enforcement power."
COSLA Community Wellbeing and Safety spokesman Councillor Harry McGuigan added:
"A key part of the Antisocial Behaviour Review is to see where it can be strengthened and to identify how community engagement can be enhanced.
"As such, today's event will be a valuable opportunity to share and develop good practice in addressing antisocial behaviour and to ensure that all the current activities can be built upon.
"Many new, exciting and innovative approaches to addressing antisocial behaviour in local communities around Scotland and elsewhere will be presented.
"Today is an opportunity to closely examine and assess nearly fifty examples of good practice that have been submitted. As such, this event should provide a better understanding of what works best and is appropriate for specific communities on ASB issues."