Anti Social Behaviour

There has been a steady decline in the number of first time entrants to the youth justice system since December 2006. Since April 2007, the reduction has been significant which has enabled us to achieve the Youth Justice Board target and exceed the LPSA target.

What has been happening in Newcastle in relation to policing, crime and anti social behaviour?

We have development and implemented the Youth Offending Team Partnership Prevention Strategy. The Anti Social Behaviour Protocol has been implemented by all Secondary Schools, Trinity Special School and the Pupil Referral Unit.

Youthinc, a youth inclusion and support panel (YISP) for 8-13 year olds is now operating across the whole city.

The Newcastle Youth Offending Team has improved overall performance in the last year and is regionally seen as a 'good practice' model for addressing the mental health of young offenders. Police figures indicate a 15% decrease in reported crime within participating schools. Fixed term exclusions have also reduced.

How have children and young people contributed to the reduction in anti social behaviour in Newcastle?

1,800 pupils in 24 primary schools engaged in the ABC project, indicating signs of their understanding of the issues and impact of anti-social behaviour. This project has also directly influenced Police engagement with schools and contributed to the wider ASB work in the city.

Young people also designed posters as part of a city wide competition and 27 young people were invited to participate in a weeks residential which further explored ASB and how these young people can address individual, school and wider community issues.

The Unity Programme focuses on building capacity and developing resilience to extremist messages within Muslim communities and will be developing an extensive programme of work in support of young people, developing relationships with universities and colleges in the city, and engaging with the police in relation to intelligence led targeting of resources.

Improving the local delivery of support for families of offenders

Families can play a significant role in supporting an offender to make and sustain those changes which reduce re-offending. Research suggests that having family ties can reduce the likelihood of re-offending by 39 per cent. Children’s futures are heavily influenced by family circumstances and 63 per cent of boys with a convicted parent go on to offend in later life.

The Reducing reoffending: supporting families, creating better futures Framework sets out how ‘Think Family’ philosophy and practice can be implemented to improve support for offenders’ children and families in the community and through intervention at each stage of the Criminal Justice System.

It outlines what can be done by the different agencies to work with offenders’ families and children. Practitioners will find it especially useful as it brings together in one place the tasks that should be followed in regard to offenders’ families and children.

Please see the full framework document: www.justice.gov.uk