Alcohol, crime and anti social behaviour

There is a link between alcohol and crime or anti social behaviour.

Definitions:

Crime
Anti social behaviour is described in the crime and disorder act 1998 as ‘acting in an anti-social manner as a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household’

Alcohol abuse can be defined as anti-social behaviour and can lead to a number of measures that the police and other agencies can enforce

Research tells us that young people who have been drinking are more likely to become involved in crime. 6% of school pupils, who had been caught committing a crime, reported that they had been drinking prior to the crime (Alcohol Concern).

Young people and alcohol, and the possible consequences linked to this of crime and or anti social behaviour, make some people in communities feel unsafe, insecure and afraid of young people – even if young people are not involved in any crime or anti social behaviour!.

The possibility that people, including other young people themselves, may be afraid of young people who socialise in groups in parks or open spaces at night could add to people’s feelings of insecurity. Often the media fuel this undeserved reputation as the majority of young people do not commit crime or take part in anti social behaviour; levels of noise increasing typically alongside alcohol use can be seen as anti social by residents.

Anti social behavior can cover a wide variety of unacceptable activities that affect community life and can impact upon families, individuals and communities as a whole.

Anti-social behaviour that is caused by alcohol use, particularly underage drinking which sometimes takes place in parks, streets and other community areas is a cause for concern and is often linked to vandalism, graffiti, litter (empty cans and beer bottles being left behind) and noise (including swearing).

Terms such as ‘nuisance’, ‘disorder’ and ‘harassment’ are also used to describe some of this behaviour.

Examples include

Yobbish behaviour and intimidating groups taking over public spaces
Vandalism and graffiti
Anti-social drinking – drinking in public places (on the street)
Shouting, screaming or swearing
Hanging round in groups and causing a nusisance
Threats of violence to people or property
Underage drinking in groups

Alcohol abuse can be defined as anti-social behaviour and can lead to a number of measures that the police and other agencies can enforce – these may include

Warning letters, interviews, contracts and agreements
Parenting orders and ASBO’s (anti social behaviour orders)
Individual support orders

These actions could be taken by the police, local authorities or Youth Offending Teams.

Questions relating to the ‘Call it a Night’ dvd

• What happens in the street with the young people that might cause concern for the Bridge Street community?
• What behaviour takes place that might be identified as anti social at the park?
• What do you think that the neighbour might be feeling when he confronts the group of friends outside the shop?
• What do you think that the woman might be feeling when she tries to get into the shop but is blocked by the older boys?
• How do you think that the neighbours might be feeling when the party takes place at Pete’s house?
• What might happen when the neighbour tells the young girl’s dad about how the friends were behaving towards him outside the shop that night?
• Is the neighbour right to react how he does when he first leaves his house to confront the young people?
• Is anti social behaviour only caused by young people?
• What could groups of young people do to try not to cause distress (anti social behaviour) to residents?
• What did young people do in the film to try to minimize any behaviour that might be judged anti social?