Evaluating diversions from Anti-Social Behaviour The Anti-Social Behaviour Research Group at the University Centre Blackburn College

The Crime & Disorder Act 1998 introduced ‘ASBO-mania’ as:

“headline writers seized upon the term with gusto. A mini-industry flourished selling T-shirts, hoodies and even babies' playsuits emblazoned with Asbo-related slogans.” (Kelly, 2012)

“Misfits”

“ASBO superheroes”?

But the term was poorly defined and lack of detail led to excessive and inappropriate use.

Examples:

“love-making,

putting up risqué signs,

free running,

singing,

setting up a pirate radio,

begging and

not paying a restaurant bill”

(Morris, 2012).

UCBC Criminology students studied diversions from ASB as provided by Blackburn Rovers Community Trust and the organisation STREETS.

Small teams were formed in order to assess perceptions of ASB in seven areas of Blackburn with Darwen.

This enabled comparison with the national picture in the British Crime Survey.

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Perceptions were acquired from:

239 local residents plus 42 detailed interviews,100 business representatives, 130 Blackburn Rovers fans and 50 young people plus 50 recorded hours of observations.

A full STREETS programme was also observed for 25 hours.

Levels of ASB in places no longer receiving diversionary work from Blackburn Rovers Community Trust were also researched.

BBC.co.uk

In order to get beyond the ‘sensational’ the students inquired into perceptions of seven different types of behaviour:

1. teenagers hanging around on the streets2. vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property or vehicles

3. using or dealing drugs4. drunkenness or rowdiness in public places5. rubbish or littering

6. noisy neighbours or loud parties 7. abandoned or burnt-out cars. (Parfrement-Hopkins and Hall, 2009)

Students as producers of the social world they live in

The UCBC students researched the work of Blackburn Rovers Community Trust in seven areas of Blackburn with Darwen.

They noted that an offer of free services were made to young people residing in seven different venues across the Borough that totalled 19,200 hours per year.

They also noted the engagement from young people with a variety of ages and different social and ethnic backgrounds.

“[I’d be] just walking round the streets, playing footy or something on the streets if I wasn’t here”

“No, there’s never any trouble here. I know most of the people that attend - they are all from the estate.”

“If I wasn’t here I’d probably be smokin’ weed. I’d be getting smashed somewhere if you want the truth. Probably stuck in a fight somewhere.”

Research Findings

the supervised sessions of additional physical activity for young people that amounted to a total of 9,600 hours

the progression of four young people from attendees into coaching and supervisory roles

the weekly attendance of over thirty young people at each venue

There was more…the input of advisory agencies and

over 700 hours of open access to computers and games consoles through Click at the BRIC

the regular sharing of experiences and forms of good practice by Community Trust staff

a clear reduction in the number of recorded ASB incidents in the different areas

Consider the evidence?Whilst Street Soccer was taking place

in the seven areas it was discovered there had been a total reduction of 144% in reported ASB incidents.

In the only one of the Borough’s seven areas not to have received any Street Soccer provision in 2011-12, it was found there were an extra 404 reported incidents compared to the previous year when it was available.

Or imagine a bigger and better society?

Following their ‘win’ in the 2010 general election the government proclaimed their “driving ambition: to put more power and opportunity into people’s hands.” (Cabinet Office, 2010: 1).

But

“It will be challenging to break this entrenched public belief that anti-social behaviour is something that the police are left to deal with” (Hodgkinson and Tilley 2011: 296).

False economy?“For every $15,000 that we spend intervening in the lives of economically and otherwise disadvantaged kids in those earlier chapters, we save $80,000 in crime-related costs down the road. Even if you don't agree that there's a moral imperative that we do it, it just makes economic sense.” (Dow, 2012)

“the introduction of a ‘Community Trigger’ will improve the services from local councils, the police and other partners to victims and communities experiencing persistent ASB.” (Home Office, 2012)

“Community as curriculum” (Professor Steve Wheeler, Plymouth University)

FLICKR @POWERBOOKTRANCE

The ‘consequences concept’ is a major part of the STREETS programme and this strengthens its pro-social modelling approach.

The STREETS providers sought to: “reinforce comments and actions which value non criminal activities and associations” (Trotter, 2009: 145).

Trust in the future?In May 2012 the White Paper, Putting victims first: more effective responses to antisocial behaviour, was published to extensive media interest (Home Office, 2012). The headlines tended to focus on the ‘death of the ASBO’.

Really?

ASB Research Group Participants:

Angela Pasquill, Jean Darby, Dishan Asraf,

Shamas Aziz, Sam Bartley, Donna Braithwaite,

Angela Chadwick, Jade Conway, Marselle Davies,

Emma Fort, Michael Gamble,

James Haythornthwaite, Charlotte Hesketh,

Nicola Joseph, Darren Kenny,

Angela Mckeefery, Allan Shorrock, Saabir Patel,

Trisha Williams, Rachael Woodward, Maria Croft,

Olivia Clarkson, Sam Daley, Charlotte Flynn,

Kirsty Holden, Tilly Hudson, Eve Westwell and

Hannah Postlethwaite.

ReferencesDow, D. (2012) Lessons from Death Row Inmates. URL (accessed 25 June 2012) http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/david_r_dow_lessons_from_death_row_inmates.htmlHome Office 2012

Kelly, J. (2012) “ASBO: The end of an era.” URL (accessed 25 May 2012) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18164426

Morris, N. (2012) 'Crimbos' replace Asbos – but will they rush children into custody? URL (accessed 24 May 2012) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/crimbos-replace-asbos--but-will-they-rush-children-into-custody-7778907.html

Parfrement-Hopkins, J. and Hall, P. (2009) “Perceptions of anti-social behaviour” in D. Moon and A. Walker (eds) Perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour: Findings from the 2008/09 British Crime Survey. URL (accessed January 2010) www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Trotter, C. (2007) “Pro-Social Modelling” in G. McIvor and P. Raynor (eds) Developments in Social Work with Offenders, Research Highlights in Social Work with Offenders. London: Jessica Kingsley.