Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour: review report

Foreword

This has been a real challenge! Antisocial behaviour is a concept recognised by most of us, experienced by too many and can be seen and felt across many of Scotland’s communities.

Our starting point was to reduce the number of victims of antisocial behaviour and to reduce its impacts on those who are affected. That can only be done with understanding the reasons people behave the way they do and by using that understanding to prevent it.

As co-chairs, we have felt the heavy responsibility of listening to, and meeting, as many of you as we could and to hear the stories that you wanted to tell us. We have embarked on a learning journey that’s taken us across Scotland and with access to lots of your stories of what is happening to you - either in your sectors or as individuals.

We have heard about the impact antisocial behaviour has on people, families, communities, towns, cities and in services.

Antisocial behaviour will not be reduced immediately. There is no single action we can take to stop people behaving in a way that is considered antisocial. Indeed, it has been difficult to pin down what we all mean by antisocial behaviour - it means so many different things to different people. What is clear however is that there are people living in our communities who are behaving in ways others find difficult, challenging, distressing, harmful and impactful. While many incidences of antisocial behaviour are attached to criminal behaviour - many are not. We have heard a significant amount of evidence about people involved in antisocial behaviour who are distressed, with mental health problems, addictions, living in hopeless situations and with little faith in, or recourse to, a safety net. Conversely, we have heard consistently about reduced tolerance of behaviours that may not have been considered antisocial pre covid. This has been a consistent theme as we emerge into our post covid world.

While not specifically in our scope, we have looked at and learned from experiences and policy frameworks in our near neighbours across the UK. We are certain that there is a Scotland specific approach to be developed.

It is about poverty, inequity, tolerance, lack of money, lack of resources, failure, demand and significant cuts to services that support our communities and young people. This needs to change. We need significant investment, but we cannot fix this unless there is investment by National and Local Government in upstream prevention. We must turn the tide on this and think about what behaviours we want to encourage and celebrate. We want to talk about prosocial behaviour and focus our attention on how we develop this.

This report provides a call to action and gives support to all of us who know things need to change. Upstream prevention across all our sectors is required and investment must come. Where there is money in the system, this needs to be reinvested in preventative activity. Scotland understands trauma, compassion, and the nature of a public health approach. We must use this in our efforts to reduce antisocial behaviour. We must reinvigorate our communities and create a Safer Scotland.

This is the conclusion of our report but the start of the journey. Our recommendations are for longer term action, generational change. They will require significant resources and leadership. This will reap rewards and reinvestment into our communities as we change the environments that create antisocial behaviour.

Lastly on a personal note, the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour would like to acknowledge the expertise and commitment of Dr Ruby Whitelaw who co-authored the accompanying evidence paper (A Review of Antisocial Behaviour in Scotland - Data Survey and Literature Review) and sadly passed away in December 2024. The Group has dedicated its work in her fond memory.

Fiona Dyer and Lorraine Gillies

Co-chairs