This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Delegation to learn about antisocial behaviour in England
10/10/2005
Executive Ministers led a delegation of council leaders and police to Manchester today to look at the way that the city deals with antisocial behaviour.
Manchester City Council has led the way in community-based systems and have set up a Nuisance Strategy Unit to co-ordinate action> The emphasis of all public agencies is always on helping out victims and witnesses - not the offenders.
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"Manchester have shown exactly what can be achieved when there is a determination across all agencies to tackle antisocial behaviour. They have shown that working together is the way to make sure that lives can be changed for the better.
"People don't care which public agency has responsibility for doing certain things, they care about their family and their community. They want to know that when it comes to dealing with the minority that can terrorise so many, that we are on their side. They want action, not excuses.
"My message today is clear. We have the powers to tackle antisocial behaviour - now it is time to act. If there are lessons that we can learn from others, I am determined that we do so."
The FM was accompanied by
- Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson
- Superintendent John Pollock, Community Safety Department, Strathclyde Police (attending on behalf of ACPOS)
- Donald Anderson, Leader, Edinburgh City Council
- Jill Shimie, Leader, Dundee City Council
- David O'Neil, Leader, North Ayrshire Council
- Andrew Campbell, Convenor, Dumfries & Galloway Council
- Baillie Robert Winter, Convenor Policy and Resources, Glasgow City Council
- Jim McCabe, Leader, North Lanarkshire Council
- Kate Dean, Leader, Aberdeen City Council
Manchester City Council is part of the Together Academy set up by the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, part of the Home Office, to spread best practice among local authorities and other organisations in dealing with anti-social behaviour.
ASBOs are used to protect local communities, and surveys both locally and nationally show people to be in favour of their use.
A witness support scheme set up by a former ASBO witness, Lesley Pulman, in close conjunction with the City Council, now helps ASBO witnesses before, during and after ASBO court hearings.