HC Deb 19 September 2003 vol 410 cc1202-3W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the links between anti-social behaviour and social exclusion; and if he will make a statement. [130205]

Ms Blears

The links between anti-social behaviour (ASB) and social exclusion can be examined on two separate levels: (1) links between experience or perceptions of ASB in local areas and social exclusion and (2) links between engaging in ASB and social exclusion.

In terms of the links between experience or perception of ASB and social exclusion the British Crime Survey (BCS) provides data on people's experience (as a victim) and perception of anti-social behaviour according to respondents' neighbourhood and their current status in terms of employment. skills, income and housing.

Ellis, C. and Fletcher, G. (2003) 'Antisocial behaviour and disorder'. In C. Flood-Page and J. Taylor (Eds.) Crime in England and Wales 2001/2002: Supplementary Volume. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 01/03. London: Home Office—deposited in the Library. The report indicates that people living in council estates and low-income areas are most likely to perceive local problems of disorder and that the economically inactive, those on low income, the unskilled and social renters are most likely to say that disorder has a great impact on their lives.

In terms of the links between engaging in ASB and social exclusion see Campbell S. (2002). A review of Anti-social Behaviour Orders. Home Office Research Study No. 236. London: Home Office—deposited in the Library. The review found that where case file information was available, a high proportion of people placed on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) during the evaluation period had some sort of mitigating factor, e.g. had been evicted from their home or had been excluded from school, which appeared to have contributed to their behaviour. Additional work which has been commissioned and which will examine the link between engaging in ASB and social exclusion:

A forthcoming evaluation based on research of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts in Islington will look at the social background of families involved in ASB. A new Home Office survey of the general population currently in the field will provide information on offending, anti-social behaviour and victimisation. It will be possible to use England and Wales 2001/2002: Supplementary Volume. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 01/03. London: Home Office—deposited in the Library. The report indicates that people living in council estates and low-income areas are most likely to perceive local problems of disorder and that the economically inactive, those on low income, the unskilled and social renters are most likely to say that disorder has a great impact on their lives. In terms of the links between engaging in ASB and social exclusion see Campbell S. (2002). A review of Anti-social Behaviour Orders. Home Office Research Study No. 236. London: Home Office—deposited in the Library. The review found that where case file information was available, a high proportion of people placed on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) during the evaluation period had some sort of mitigating factor, e.g. had been evicted from their home or had been excluded from school, which appeared to have contributed to their behaviour. Additional work which has been commissioned and which will examine the link between engaging in ASB and social exclusion: A forthcoming evaluation based or research of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts in Islington will look at the social background of families involved in ASB. A new Home Office survey of the general population currently in the field will provide information on offending, anti-social behaviour and victimisation. It will be possible to use the survey data to identify links between problems associated with social exclusion and anti-social behaviour.

Research has been commissioned to determine the predictive indicators of antisocial behaviour at eight age using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The work will determine whether certain factors associated with social exclusion, e.g. family income, place children at increased risk of engaging in antisocial behaviour.