This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Second anniversary of Antisocial Behaviour Act
09/11/2006
Scots from scross the country gathered in the Scottish Parliament today for a reception to celebrate the second anniversary of the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act.
Each had their own tale to tell of how the new powers in the Act have changed their lives and communities for the better.
Among them were:
- John Smith of Glasgow, one of many residents who benefited when a dispersal order brought an end to the reign of antisocial behaviour that had claimed the streets of Dennistoun
- Neil Fincham, a Security Manager from Edinburgh who secured the first ASBO relating to a shopping centre in order to bring staff and shoppers respite from abusive behaviour
- David, 59, and Edwin Murray, 74, two brothers from Angus who were tormented by shouting and swearing while their garden was damaged and pond fish poisoned, until the courts delivered a six month prison sentence and an ASBO on conviction.
Mr Smith said:
"We had so much terror in the area that people were intimidated. They were frightened to walk through the area. There was a lot of graffiti, a lot of vandalism, a lot of drinking.
"Both young and old were getting a lot of hassle. But since the dispersal order came in, it's been like heaven. It really has. It's like it's back to what it was 20 years ago. You can walk the streets and you're not frightened anymore. It's just great."
Mr Endsleigh of Aberdeen benefited from a Closure Order. He said:
"I was continually having to phone the police. The tenant was an alcoholic and because they would provide him with drink, drug-takers would use his house as a drink and drugs den. Drug takers would jump in and out of windows and run away from the police. It was just ongoing. The noise was terrible and there was fighting, smashing of windows and general disorder.
"Since the closure order came into effect it's been perfect. From the minute the judge said "closure" - the tenant had two hours to get home, collect what he needed and get out of the place. Then his property was boarded up with metal, so that there is no way they can get into the house. We've had nice peaceful nights for the past two and a half months."
Superintendent David Marsh of Strathclyde Police said:
"Since the introduction of the dispersal order, antisocial behaviour - which included street-drinking, youths gathering and engaging in gang-fights - has almost disappeared in the Dennistoun area. We're only a month into our dispersal order. Hopefully, if we continue the way we are going, it will make a significant difference to the community. What it has offered the community in Dennistoun is some respite in relation to the acts of antisocial behaviour that were ongoing."
Mrs Greta Riddell of Knightswood said:
"We are coming to the end of our dispersal order. The problems we had were youth disorder - youths coming in from out-with the area. We have a lot of elderly people in the area and people were afraid to go out at night. We have quite a lot of activities going on in the community centre, but people just didn't want to go there because they would have to come home through large groups of youths congregating on the streets. That's stopped now. We've got our area back."
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said:
"Crime in Scotland is falling, and two years on from the new ASB powers coming into force, Scotland's record numbers of police officers and other local agencies are successfully helping communities to tackle the blight of antisocial behaviour.
"Every month more and more of the measures are being used in more and more parts of the country to help more people. There are no instant solutions and change doesn't happen overnight but, quite simply, lives are improving.
"Today we have an opportunity to hear the real-life stories behind the figures - to hear what has worked and celebrate every success. We also need to take this opportunity to consider how we can all ensure that the measures are used effectively, consistently and appropriately right across the country.
"We can not allow people's lives to be dragged into the gutter by a minority who couldn't care less where they live or how they behave. The ASB Act has helped decent, law-abiding people to reclaim their homes and their communities. And I want people to see that by contacting the relevant local agencies, you can achieve real change."