§ Baroness Kennedy of The Shawsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will monitor the proportion of those involved in anti-social behaviour who: (a) have been subjected to a social security benefits sanction; (b) are teenagers estranged from their parents; (c) have been in care; (d) are smokers; (e) are drug-addicts and (f) are victims of parental abuse. [HL3984]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)There is no information available that monitors the profile of anti-social behaviour offenders as described and there are no plans to collect such information in the future. However, there is much work going on which takes into account these factors and attempts to address them.
173WAThe youth justice system focuses on practical measures to tackle offending behaviour and associated social problems. Preventing offending is now the central statutory aim of all the youth justice services.
The ASSET scheme which assesses the circumstances, needs and characteristics of young people involved in offending is used to plan and deliver interventions which reduce the likelihood of further offending. The assessment is based on factors where research indicates a strong relationship between the particular characteristics in young people's lives and their risk of offending and reoffending.
The Government are tackling the causes of youth crime among other social problems through an extensive social inclusion strategy. This includes neighbourhood renewal, children's services, tackling drugs and alcohol misuse, pre-school schemes, improving school attendance, support for families, improving social services care and employment and skills schemes.