Tackling anti-social behaviour is most effective when agencies work in partnership
Local authorities are responsible for delivery of services in their area. To find out more about the structure, governance and performance of local authorities go to www.auditcommission.gov.uk.
The local authority (or council) has a wide range of powers available to help address anti-social behaviour. They will have teams whose responsibility it is to deal with:
- Abandoned vehicles
- Graffiti and fly posting
- Damage to public property (street furniture, lighting etc)
- Dumped rubbish / fly tipping
- Noise (including loud music, parties, noisy neighbours, burglar / car alarms, noisy animals, noise from pubs and clubs.)
Various functions of the local authority can contribute to tackling anti-social behaviour:
- Education and youth services
- Social services
- Legal services
- Housing department
- Environmental health and environmental services/cleansing
- Community safety units.
Preventing crime and disorder
Under s17(1) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, local authorities, amongst others* have a duty to exercise their functions with 'due regard' to the need to prevent crime and disorder in their area.
This legislation places a duty on those organisations that fall within its ambit to do all they reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in their area.
Its underpinning rationale is simple: levels of crime and disorder are influenced by the policies, decisions and practices of agencies and organisations working in a locality. Thus, specified organisations should routinely consider the implications for crime and disorder as they carry out their day-to-day business.
*s17 also applies to police authorities; National Park Authorities; the Broads Authority; police; The Greater London Authority; The London Development Agency; Transport for London and others working in the field of crime and disorder.
ARTICLE LAST UPDATED: 16/02/2009