New report published by the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour

The report of the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour was published on 25 February. Lesley McAra from Edinburgh Law School was a member of the group. 

The report highlights the importance of longer term preventative measures, in particular the need for greater investment in youth work and mental health services, as well as a need to review housing allocation policies. It also recommends a more focused and multi-agency approach to addressing immediate harms, including the need for contextual safeguarding in community spaces, and a review of the services to which those involved in antisocial behaviour can appropriately be referred. In developing the report the working group engaged with over 250 stakeholders across Scotland.

Lesley McAra said: "A key finding from the work of the group is that antisocial behaviour is not wholly a young person’s problem, indeed the vast majority of those receiving police warnings or criminal convictions for such behaviour are over the age of 30.  Our report has highlighted significant gaps in services which could more effectively prevent antisocial behaviour and mitigate the distressing impact that such behaviours can have on individuals and communities."

Group membership:

• Fiona Dyer, Co-Chair - Director of the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice
• Lorraine Gillies, Co-Chair - Independent
• Kate Wallace - Chief Executive Officer of Victim Support Scotland
• Kirsten Urquhart - Chief Executive Officer of Young Scot
• Professor Lesley McAra CBE FRSE - Chair of Penology at Edinburgh Law School, University of Edinburgh
• Lorrainne Meek - Chair of Antisocial Behaviour Officers’ Forum; and Antisocial Behaviour Manager, South Lanarkshire Council
• Tom Halpin QPM - Independent 

Read the report

Sottish Government - Report from the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour