§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he collates on the use of acceptable behaviour contracts; in what form; how many local authorities do not use acceptable behaviour contracts; and if he will make a statement. [139224]
§ Ms BlearsResearch conducted in April 2002 showed that there were 173 Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) schemes running in England and Wales, with 1,868 contracts signed. A Home Office Research Development and Statistics publication on the evaluation of an ABC scheme in the London borough of Islington is forthcoming.
The Home Office does not routinely collect statistics on the use or otherwise of ABCs. ABC schemes are voluntary and developed by a range of agencies whose role it is to prevent such behaviour.