Preventing and Responding to Anti-Social Behaviour: Policies, prac&ce and pa;ern

This equally co-authored report by Orla Kerrigan and Tobias Niblock provides an insight into the responses to anti-social behaviour in Northern Ireland. The report begins by offering a conceptual overview of anti-social behaviour. Each of the policy commitments are illustrated to demonstrate the operational focus on anti-social behaviour. The programmes which seek to tackle anti-social behaviour through mostly non-enforcement approaches are audited to demonstrate elements of effective best practice. The final section highlights contemporary trends and patterns of anti-social behaviour and perceptions of public safety. Findings indicated that managing ASB requires a balanced approach, combining proactive prevention, community engagement and support for victims, recognising it as an evolving and context-dependent challenge for communities

The authors would like to thank Gabrielle Nugent-Stephens for her help with framing this piece of work.