ASBOs
Implementing ASBOs: Messages for practitioners
This document is published for archival/historical purposes. It will not be updated.
ASBOs have been available to the police and local authorities since April 1999. Experience has suggested that they are not being used consistently between agencies and areas. Some find them effective and efficient, whereas other have found them problematic and too difficult to use. This report is a summary of the key practical messages from a substantial Home Office review of ASBOs, and details the processes whereby agencies are successfully using ASBOs.
Title: Implementing Anti-social Behaviour Orders: messages for practitioners
Author: Siobhan Campbell
Reference: Home Office Research Findings 160
Number of pages: 6
The report outlines the advantages gained by using ASBOs and the problems associated with their use. It examines methods for minimising bureaucracy and delays, different partnership models and support within agencies. It oulines good practice both in problem-solving and in the judicial process, especially how to support witnesses and protect them from intimidation. It concludes with a look at strategies to ensure changes in behaviour.
Key Points
Areas should draw up simple, streamlined protocols created with their local area in mind. These should be designed to help practitioners on the ground deal with anti-social behaviour problems quickly, easily and successfully.
Some form of partnership working is desirable and can result in real benefits such as improved relationships, spreading costs and producing creative solutions. However, it should not be allowed to delay the process.
Strategic support and commitment from within the lead agency are essential for ASBOs to work successfully.
The work of agencies’ solicitors is often crucial as they develop experience over time, and can give detailed advice on the process, evidence and legal matters.
Problem-solving can target the causes of anti-social behaviour and is often effective without the final step of applying for an ASBO being necessary.
Fostering a good working relationship with the courts, through consultation and training, can help mutual understanding.
After an order is granted, continued close working with partner agencies and the community is essential to sustain public confidence and ensure the problem behaviour does not escalate.
There is evidence of fear and intimidation amongst witnesses. To combat this, strategies must be developed to minimise intimidation and support witnesses.
Ultimately, the measure of success will be whether the anti-social behaviour stops. This focus should be maintained throughout the process.
Download “Implementing Anti-social Behaviour Orders: messages for practitioners “in full 
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The report is itself a summary of a far larger study of the operation of ASBOs, “A review of anti-social behaviour orders” undertaken by the same author, which was published at the same time. The full report runs to 140 pages and goes into considerably more detail on similar points.
Download “A review of anti-social behaviour orders” in full PDF 370Kb
Last update: Tuesday, August 26, 2008