"Behaviour that can blight people's lives"- social work chair

Councillors welcome antisocial behaviour plan

MEMBERS of Highland Council have this week welcomed the second Antisocial Behaviour Strategy for the Highlands covering the period 2011 to 2016.
A report considered by the council’s Housing and Social Work Committee, following public consultation, outlined a joint Antisocial Behaviour Strategy prepared by the council and Northern Constabulary.
The strategy reflects current national policy and guidance and places antisocial behaviour in the context of wider community safety. It sets out operational approaches to managing antisocial behaviour and the roles of different agencies and council services involved.
Councillor Margaret Davidson, chair of the council’s Housing and Social Work Committee said: “Antisocial behaviour can blight people’s lives and the police and Highland Council have a duty to respond and help swiftly and effectively. I encourage people not to put up with antisocial behaviour, but to make contact and seek the help they need. Our new policy concentrates on improved communication, reassurance and early intervention.”
The current draft strategy for 2011-2016 identifies a number of priorities for building on existing good practice including:

• encouraging reporting of antisocial behaviour at the earliest opportunity;
• promoting the use of different reporting methods (i.e. Crimestoppers, Hate Free Highland);
• better reassurance to the public of the ongoing work undertaken by agencies in tackling antisocial behaviour;
• supporting victims of antisocial behaviour; and
• continuing to focus on the use of education, prevention and intervention methods with a view to reducing future antisocial offending.