Policing Anti‐Social Behaviour: Constraints, Dilemmas and Opportunities

Anti‐social behaviour (ASB) has received increasing political and media attention. It is of great concern to the public. The police are under pressure to tackle it, in particular using anti‐social behaviour orders (ASBOs). There is currently little hard data on what is effective. This article presents findings from an evaluation of an ASB Taskforce, which increasingly focused on using ASBOs. Whilst there is evidence of a city‐wide reduction in perceived ASB, there is none that reported levels have fallen. The difficulties facing the police are discussed. It is concluded that a broader approach to the problem would be more promising.