Westminster Legal Policy Forum

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Next steps for tackling anti-social behaviour in England and Wales

Morning, Tuesday, 12th December 2023


This conference focuses on next steps for tackling anti-social behaviour in England and Wales.


It is bringing together key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss implementation and the potential impact of the Government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, published earlier this year.


With aims to increase powers and funding to local authorities, PCCs and police forces to tackle the issue, delegates will discuss enforcement in communities, and priorities for policing and for supporting victims, as well as redress for those affected by anti-social behaviour.


Further sessions examine delivery of the Action Plan, including consideration of resources and funding, collaboration between key sectors, enforcement, and priorities for best practice. Delegates will also look at tackling anti-social behaviour on public transport, with Government launching pilot schemes to introduce new transport safety officers.


There will also be discussion on concerns that some proposed measures could have unintended negative consequences for some groups in society, latest thinking on addressing underlying socio-economic factors and alternative approaches to policy on anti-social behaviour.


We are pleased to include keynote sessions with: Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner, Durham; and Benjamin Archer, Lecturer in Law, Department of Law and Criminology, Sheffield Hallam University; John Hayward-Cripps, Chief Executive Officer, Neighbourhood Watch Network; and Lorraine Gillies, Chief Officer, Scottish Community Safety Network.


Overall, areas for discussion include:

  • Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan: assessing potential impact - recent trends - increased powers - resourcing and use of funding - developing a collaborative approach
  • victims: considering the impact of anti-social behaviour on those affected - priorities for safeguarding - approaches to redress and achieving justice 
  • enforcement: assessing progress and next steps for anti-social behaviour policing - hotspot policing and immediate justice schemes - dispersal orders - enforcement strategy
  • community engagement: fostering collaborative approaches - roles of local stakeholders in prevention and early intervention - public messaging and encouraging orderly behaviour - best practice
  • targeting enforcement: considering unintended consequences of dispersal orders and other powers - protecting vulnerable groups from homelessness and criminalisation
  • policy options: exploring alternative strategies for reducing anti-social behaviour - addressing underlying socio-economic factors - frameworks for adapting policy to deal with future challenges

The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from DLUHC; Home Office; MOJ; and The Scottish Government.



Keynote Speakers

Joy Allen

Police and Crime Commissioner, Durham

Benjamin Archer

Lecturer in Law, Department of Law and Criminology, Sheffield Hallam University

John Hayward-Cripps

Chief Executive Officer, Neighbourhood Watch Network

Lorraine Gillies

Chief Officer, Scottish Community Safety Network

Keynote Speakers

Benjamin Archer

Lecturer in Law, Department of Law and Criminology, Sheffield Hallam University

Lorraine Gillies

Chief Officer, Scottish Community Safety Network

Joy Allen

Police and Crime Commissioner, Durham

John Hayward-Cripps

Chief Executive Officer, Neighbourhood Watch Network

Speakers

Councillor Norma Stephenson OBE

Cabinet Member Access, Communities & Community Safety, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Andrew Goodacre

Chief Executive, British Independent Retailers Association

Frances Gardner

Professor of Child and Family Psychology, University of Oxford

Lydia Allen

Local Policy and Partnerships Manager, National Youth Agency

Fiona Colley

Director of Social Change, Homeless Link

Jack Kelly

Director of Corporate Affairs, Midland Heart