The project, which was led by Safer South Gloucestershire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership working with the police, Connexions West of England and other agencies, consulted with young people who gave invaluable help with the look, feel and wording of the leaflets and posters, describing the images and phrases that came to mind when they thought of anti social behaviour.
The partnership, however, recognises that only a very small percentage of young people are responsible for causing anti social behaviour in their communities.
Sheldon Wressell, detached work team leader for South Gloucestershire council, said: “Young people are at the heart of what we do and it is essential that we work with young people on every level, but particularly in this context. Although anti social behaviour is not just perpetrated by young people, this literature is aimed towards young people and it was therefore essential that it should include words and images that are both relevant and communicates with them.
“The approach on the design and production of the anti-social behaviour literature was twofold. First and foremost it was designed through consultation with young people; secondly it was facilitated through a multi-agency approach.
“Through a multi-agency approach in South Gloucestershire, we are also able to maximise the support and advice that we are able to offer young people.”
The results of the consultation were used to design the original artwork of a street scene which features a caption on a wall saying ‘Do we want to live like this?’ with words like ‘vandalism’, ‘Binge Drinking’ and ‘ASBO’ sprayed on in graffiti.
Howell David, the police officer working in Safer South Gloucestershire’s Anti Social Behaviour team who led this project for Safer South Gloucestershire, said: “All the agencies involved in this project agreed that it should be stressed to young people that they don’t have to follow the crowd – it’s their choice whether to be involved in acts of anti social behaviour.
“Safer South Gloucestershire is committed to a prevent and deter agenda, but if individuals are hell-bent on impacting on the quality of life of their communities, we will use the tools available to us, including Acceptable Behaviour Contracts – ABCs and Anti Social Behaviour Orders – ASBOs, and consider our enforcement options.
“It’s worth remembering, though, that of the Acceptable Behaviour Contracts signed in 2005/2006 in South Gloucestershire, half were for adults, and the majority of South Gloucestershire young people don’t cause anti social behaviour.”
The literature will be distributed via youth agencies to areas of South Gloucestershire where there are emerging anti-social behaviour hotspots.
ENDS