The Way Forward on Anti-Social Behaviour: prevention not prosecution

A major conference to promote preventative strategies to deal with anti-social behaviour was held by Leeds Tenants Federation on 29 November 2006 at the Thackray Museum, in Leeds.

Speakers included Alex Rhind (pictured), from the Home Office Respect Task Force, Supt. Richard Jackson, Chief Community Safety Officer, and featured case studies from the Shelter Inclusion Project in Rochdale and Leeds' Signpost Project.

A Community Action panel led by neighbourhood volunteers and workshops on mediation, tackling hate crime and restorative justice gave participants plenty of opportunity for discussion.

The conference was attended by 120 people and was very successful in promoting preventative approaches. The evaluation showed that:

• 72% felt more hopeful that anti-social behaviour can be dealt with effectively
• 74% felt better informed on ways to prevent anti-social behaviour and
• 94% felt they had learned something they could put into action in their own community.