Agenda item

This report sets out the background to tackling Anti Social Behaviour in Brent and is intended to augment the presentation that will be delivered to the committee on 19October 2010.

Genny Renard gave a presentation to Members on this item and confirmed that the Government was reviewing the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) Act which covered areas such as when covert intelligence could be used, including use of CCTV and following suspects.  There were also plans to reform anti-social behaviour legislation, although this was currently on hold.  Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were introduced in 1999 and Members noted that adult re-offences fell by 13% in 2005-2006 against a target of 10%, whilst the proportion of juvenile re-offenders fell by 0.2% between 2000-2006 against a target of 5%.  Genny Renard advised that the ASBO re-offending rate had increased from 20% in 2005 to 50% in 2010, however this did not necessarily reflect that ASBOs were not working as it could be attributable to the police identifying re-offenders more easily.  The committee noted proposals to introduce Instant Preventative Measure, where if the same individual is reported to have committed three transgressions in twelve months, a subsequent breach of the third warning would be an offence.  However, clarity was needed in such situations where three separate people had reported the same incident.  Members noted that the British Transport Police had a similar warning system in place. 

Genny Renard advised that primary legislation was needed for action to be taken in the event of breaches, whilst there was also a need for more panel work.  Publicity was another issue that needed to be considered, such as whether offenders under 18 years should be publicised.  Genny Renard confirmed that 17 post conviction ASBOs had been granted in 2009-2010 and such action could restrict the individual concerned from being in a certain area and most ASBOs were issued in the south of the Borough.

Councillor Clues expressed doubt that the Instant Preventative Measure scheme would be effective in areas such as Brent, feeling that the system could be open to abuse and allow opportunity for individuals to be slurred.  Councillor Hirani sought details as to what kind of panel work would be undertaken and he asked whether sending letters to parents of those committing anti-social behaviour was being considered, as was presently being done by Brent Transport Police.

The Chair asked what impact the changes were likely to have on issuing ASBOs and sought clarification with regard to consultation arrangements.  He also sought the police’s view on the proposal and whether reforming ASBOs would a more beneficial approach to take.

In reply, Genny Renard commented that because all reporting would need to be logged on to a database there would still be the same level of bureaucracy involved, although less administrative staff available to process it.  Members heard that multi-agency panel work already took place under BAGPUS, which discussed ASBOs.  Genny Renard felt that it was unlikely that sending letters to parents of those committing anti-social behaviour would be considered.  She felt that the proposals were likely to mean less ASBOs in future and more legal challenges in the courts as evidence was more likely to be questioned and doubts over whether the same incident had been reported by more than one person.  However, the proposals were at the consultation stage and the Government was looking for local authorities to run pilot schemes.  Genny Renard felt that it would be more prudent to review the ASBOs by streamlining the processes involved and through more effective partnership working.

Phil Newby added that details as to how the Instant Preventative Measure would work were not yet finalised and these could be reported on at future meetings.

Claire Smart commented that the police sometimes worked in partnership with housing associations which had proven to be effective in tackling anti-social behaviour.  She stated that ASBOs were initially small in number when they were first introduced because of the large number of regulations that were coming into force, however they had since been used more effectively.  Claire Smart added that the proposals’ objective to reduce paperwork may be nullified because it would be more difficult to ensure that the appropriate evidence had been provided.

The Chair added that there would be an update on anti-social behaviour in Brent at future meetings.