--- title: "Operation ABC: Acceptable Behavior Campaign" type: "pdf" year: "2003" canonical: "/projects/312" --- ![img-0.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-0.jpeg) # The Herman Goldstein Award TitleOperation ABC # Table of Contents - [The Herman Goldstein Award](#the-herman-goldstein-award) - ["The Acceptable Behaviour Campaign"](#the-acceptable-behaviour-campaign) - [Category: Partnership](#category-partnership) - [Cleveland Police](#cleveland-police) - [Chief Superintendent John Kelly](#chief-superintendent-john-kelly) - [$14^{\text {th }}$ April 2003](#14text-th-april-2003) - [Chief Superintendent John Kelly LANGBAURGH DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER Dawson House 11 Ridley Street Redcar](#chief-superintendent-john-kelly-langbaurgh-district-police-commander-dawson-house-11-ridley-street-redcar) - [Langbaurgh Police Acceptable Behaviour Campaign [ABC]](#langbaurgh-police-acceptable-behaviour-campaign-abc) - [Chief Superintendent John Kelly: 14/04/03 - Page 2](#chief-superintendent-john-kelly-140403-page-2) - [Neighbourhood Services Department Director of Neighbourhood Services](#neighbourhood-services-department-director-of-neighbourhood-services) - [Acceptable Behaviour Campaign (ABC)](#acceptable-behaviour-campaign-abc) - [SPKIRKHAM DIRECTOR OF NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES](#spkirkham-director-of-neighbourhood-services) - [SUMMARY](#summary) - [Project title: 'Operation A.B.C](#project-title-operation-abc) - [Project Objectives](#project-objectives) - [Scan](#scan) - [Response:](#response) - [The Work Continues](#the-work-continues) - [Appendices](#appendices) - [Appendix 2](#appendix-2) - [Neighborhood Watch Survey Results](#neighborhood-watch-survey-results) - [Luke Skywalker bn 20.5.85](#luke-skywalker-bn-20585) - [CLEVELAND POLICE](#cleveland-police) - [Re: Luke Skywalker, 15 Empire Street Moonbase bn 20.5.85](#re-luke-skywalker-15-empire-street-moonbase-bn-20585) - [PC 27 Aldus](#pc-27-aldus) - [What's all this about $i$ JUSTICE?](#whats-all-this-about-i-justice) - [What's in it ForYou?](#whats-in-it-foryou) - [The under 18's](#the-under-18s) - [Caring for the under 18's](#caring-for-the-under-18s) - [A variety of services](#a-variety-of-services) - [Luke Skywalker bn 20.5.85](#luke-skywalker-bn-20585) - [PC 27 Aldus Community Safety](#pc-27-aldus-community-safety) ## "The Acceptable Behaviour Campaign" ## Category: Partnership ## Cleveland Police ## Chief Superintendent John Kelly Contact: Sgt 260 Tarns Local Authority Liaison Officer Langbaurgh Police Headquarters Community Safety Department Dawson House 11 Ridley Street Redcar TS10 ITT Tel.No. 01642302082 Fax.No. 01642302065 E-mail.bryan.tams@cleveland.pnn.police.uk Centre of Excellence for the North East 106 Normanby Road, South Bank, TS6 6RY Tel: 01642282122 Fax: 01642282120 Our email address is: jspsouthbank@ukonline.co.uk # $14^{\text {th }}$ April 2003 ## Chief Superintendent John Kelly LANGBAURGH DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER Dawson House 11 Ridley Street Redcar TS10 ITT rb-gh.doc/pol.dir Dear John, ## Langbaurgh Police Acceptable Behaviour Campaign [ABC] I have recently become aware that Langbaurgh Police is submitting its ABC campaign for consideration in respect of a National Problem Solving Policing Award. This letter is to support that submission. You are, I know, aware that the Justice Support Project has been providing support away from crime to juvenile offenders in the Cleveland Police area since 1993. Before the Crime \& Disorder Act 1998, the Project was able to offer that support to all under 18 year olds cautioned more than once. All JSP operations are backed up by external evaluation, comparing the re-offending rate of young people who receive our support with the re-offending rate of their contemporaries who reject that support, over a two-year period after our work with an individual is completed. We have consistently reduced the annual juvenile re-offending rate by a minimum of $10 \%$ so I hope you will agree that I comment from a background of knowledge and experience. Over the years, during the course of monitoring and reviewing Project work for evaluation, it became obvious that, while working at caution level (later to become final warning level) was a very valuable activity, there existed a wealth of police knowledge regarding young people who were below the level of formal action but who were displaying a pattern of behaviour that would, eventually, lead to action being taken. It was always a Project aim to support these young people sooner, rather than later, in an attempt to address their problems before they escalated. # Chief Superintendent John Kelly: 14/04/03 - Page 2 Langbaurgh Police always did refer some juveniles for Project support, prefinal warning but numbers were minimal in comparison with the level that existed. Since the inception of your Acceptable Behaviour Campaign, that position has changed dramatically. Your officers are now automatically referring all eligible under 18-year olds to JSP, as soon as a second police letter for anti-social behaviour has been sent to the parents of that young person. Not only is this campaign ensuring earlier and faster access for young people needing JSP's support but the ABC Partnership offers a shared information protocol that is pivotal to the success of that work. We are no longer mentoring in isolation in Langbaurgh and that can only assist us to maintain and improve our results in the reduction of youth crime. Yours sincerely, Lynn Lamer Project Co-ordinator ![img-1.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-1.jpeg) # Neighbourhood Services Department Director of Neighbourhood Services Redcar \& Cleveland House P. O. Box 86 Kirkleatham Street REDCAR TS10 1XX Telephone: (01642) 444000 Fax: (01642) 444341 Chief Superintendent J Kelly Cleveland Police Langbaurgh District Commander 16 May 2003 Dear John ## Acceptable Behaviour Campaign (ABC) As you know a priority of the Community Safety Partnership, and the Council, is dealing with what the public see as unacceptable levels of antisocial behaviour. Strong support for your work in tackling this issue evident from the previous political administration, is also evident from the new administration elected on $1^{\text {st }}$ May 2003. There remains a real commitment to partnership working, and particularly in relation to your district's Acceptable Behaviour Campaign. I have no doubt that ABC has been one of the key planks in the strategy to control and reduce ASB. The figures speak for themselves with a reduction last year (2002/2003) in reported instances of public disorder. This is a credit to all the staff concerned. With the extension of the scheme to the Secondary Schools in the Borough, I am expecting even better results for the future! Yours Sincerely ## SPKIRKHAM DIRECTOR OF NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES Director of Neighbourhood Services: S. P. Kirkham CPFA ![img-2.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-2.jpeg) INVESTOR IN PEOPLE ![img-3.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-3.jpeg) # SUMMARY ## Project title: 'Operation A.B.C In the year 2000/01 anti-social behaviour reports in the Langbaurgh Police District rose by over $12 \%$ and was nearly a quarter of all the calls received. Some $84 \%$ of those calls related to problems with youths. The problem was greatest in the most deprived areas and the community and local politicians were demanding a better response. We were being challenged as to why there had not been any anti-social behaviour orders obtained. Traditionally the police response to 'complaints of youths' and sub-criminal behaviour has been limited due to call prioritisation. Police intelligence systems were set up to address recorded crime and there was virtually no input into anti-social behaviour. The process of obtaining an anti-social behaviour order required identifying and evidencing the behaviour, consulting partners and attempting to address the behaviour before moving onto seeking an order if the early interventions did not work. The police and partner agencies did not have the systems in place to easily identify offenders and they seriously lacked the ability to evidence the behaviour over time. Operation ABC was set up to deliver an intelligence-led approach to address antisocial behaviour. To work with partner agencies to deliver early interventions to stop young persons progressing into more serious offending and evidence applications for anti-social behaviour orders if the earlier interventions failed. Patrolling police were provided with a simple multi pack form to record the details of offenders committing an.ti-social behaviour and inform an intelligence database. Letters were sent to parents informing them of the problem and inviting their support to address the problem. Persistent offenders were referred to a partnership problemsolving group to exchange information and agree interventions. The interventions included formal warnings, additional family support services, mental health services, notices of seeking possession of homes, acceptable behaviour agreements, criminal prosecutions and anti-social behaviour orders. The project has gained increasing momentum and support over the two years it as been running. The interventions have proved highly effective at preventing further offending with the 39 identified persistent offenders. Only 8 offenders progressed to acceptable behaviour agreements and only two of them to anti-social behaviour orders. There has been a fall in anti-social behaviour reports across the district, whilst across the force area, it is still rising. ![img-4.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-4.jpeg) Chief Superintendent, Director of Crime (Former District Commander, Langbaurgh) # Project Objectives The objective of 'Operation A.B.C was to co-ordinate a multi-agency 'drive' against anti-social behaviour utilising intelligence from partners to proactively identify and confront the small hard-core group of young offenders who were responsible for causing a disproportionate level of anti-social/nuisance and subcriminal behaviour. To establish intelligence data base to identify core offenders and hot spot areas to target partner response. ## Scan Langbaurgh Police were receiving many complaints of anti-social or nuisance behaviour particularly by young persons. South Bank was identified as having a particular problem. Due to the previous close working relationship between housing and the local Community Police, officers resolved to address this behaviour by means of joint warning visits with the local housing officers already being used for criminal matters. The experience at South Bank was replicated in community consultation across the District. The most common complaint was the inability to resolve problems, which required repeated police attendance. The incidents were rarely recorded 'crimes' and were not subject to the 'key performance indicator', which 'drove' the police and other agencies to improve their performance. The overwhelming complaint raised by councillors, on behalf of their residents, was anti-social behaviour by young people. Police officers, in particular the Community Police Team, were aware of the identity of the young persons causing the most problems in the community, as were the community itself, however the evidence was almost entirely anecdotal and seriously lacking in evidential value. This lack of information was consistent with the findings of the PAT 8 report. If an offender was identified they were often dealt with by a verbal warning. In some cases the offender was taken home and warned in front of their parents. Unless the offence was serious enough to warrant arrest, generally no entry would be made on the Police Intelligence system. Rarely was any consideration given to the other sides of the problem, analysis triangle of location and victim, to address the problem. An informed judgement on location and time could be made, no other information was available. The police rarely informed the housing providers or schools of the anti-social behaviour of their tenant or pupil. Similar behaviour, which came to the attention of the housing provider or school, unless very serious, would not be brought to the attention of the Police. There was no common or shared recording process for identifying or mapping anti-social behaviour problems. The schools were reluctant to involve the police in problems within schools as they felt they were expected to tolerate and manage this behaviour. Serious bullying and violent behaviour to other pupils and staff were rarely reported to the police or effectively confronted. Exclusion was the main intervention; there was a pressure to reduce this to avoid transferring the problem from the playground to the street. Information such as exclusion, bullying or general bad behaviour from the 82 schools in the Borough was often not recorded or analysed. Langbaurgh District Police during 2000/01 received 11,436 reports of anti-social behaviour, nuisance or other disorder, which represented over $18 \%$ of all incidents reported to the police in the district. The average number of anti-social behaviour incidents per council ward over the year was 520 incidents. The South Bank ward (1220 incidents) and Grangetown ward 1325 incidents), are the two wards with the highest levels of social deprivation as identified on the social deprivation index. (Appendix 1). In 2001 a survey (Appendix 2) which was distributed to 200 members of Neighbourhood Watch in the South Bank ward identified the following: - 45 respondents ( $80 \%$ ) believed anti-social behaviour was increasing. - 54 respondents ( $96 \%$ ) believed parents should be more accountable for their children's actions. - 38 respondents ( $68 \%$ ) felt the police could do more to combat anti-social behaviour. - 49 respondents ( $88 \%$ ) felt the housing providers could do more to combat antisocial behaviour. The Cleveland Police annual quality of life postal survey conducted in July 2000 had 2,059 respondents. The survey identified the following: - Overall satisfaction with the police in the Langbaurgh District has fallen steadily from $54 \%$ in 1997 to $20 \%$ in 2000. - $53 \%$ of respondents considered teenagers hanging around street corners to be a problem in the area in which they lived. - $37 \%$ believed vandalism or graffiti to be a major problem. - Disorder, nuisance and minor criminal damage were grossly under-reported (too trivial $28 \%$, the Police could do nothing $27 \%$, Police were not interested $26 \%$, fear of reprisals $12 \%$, other $7 \%$ ). - The four policing functions that the respondents felt the Police performed least well were: Dealing with rowdyism and noisy behaviour, dealing with general annoyance to residents, dealing with vandalism and damage and patrolling on foot/cycle patrol. The analysis identified the following: Anti-social behaviour placed a high level of demand on the key agencies, however, there was increasing dissatisfaction from the public in our ability to deal with it. Growing acknowledgement that small groups or individuals within groups, were committing serious and continued anti-social behaviour that was having a significant and adverse effect on the quality of life within deprived and vulnerable communities. Existing responses to the problem were not effective and the key agencies were acting in isolation to address what were clearly shared problems. Existing recording and measurement of the problem was woefully inadequate, even by the police. Mapping of 'hot spots' and targeting individuals was virtually nonexistent. # Response: Sergeant Lister, the Local Authority Liaison Officer, resolved to adopt a problem solving approach working with PC Bryan Tarns (now Sergeant), Helen Nicholson, the newly appointed incident researcher, PC Chris Gunnell (South Bank Community Policing Team) and Steve McCabe the South Bank victim and witness support worker. Other agencies that were involved at the outset and formed the partnership board chaired by Sgt. Lister were Sharon Dalton of Redcar and Cleveland Council Housing (Now Coast \& Country Housing) and Margaret Maynard from the Justice Support programme. Later the formation of the Local Authority Community Safety Unit placed ABC as the main method of tackling anti-social behaviour. No funding was available and the boapd had to work within their normal mainstream budgets. At this early stage it was realised with the help of partners, such as Justice Support, that prosecution and threats were not the only answer. Intervention at an early stage, the correct mentoring and diversion would play a major role in improving the behaviour of some of these young people. Additional partners were invited from the schools, educational social work service, community safety wardens, the Youth Offending Service, the Youth Inclusion Programme and Justice Support Service. The partnership would become the problemsolving group in accordance with the Home Office Guidelines on bringing anti-social behaviour orders and would be required to identify the appropriate interventions to confront the behaviour of the hard core group of offenders. A multi-pack referral form was produced and issued to all patrol police officers in the District (Appendix 3). Officers who identified and warned young persons committing low-level anti-social behaviour completed the form and forwarded it to the incident researcher. This was the beginning of the data collection and intelligence gathering and the understanding of the problem. The incident researcher created a database, which recorded personal details of the young person, which school they attend, their housing status, brief details of the incident, what action was taken and whether drugs or alcohol were an aggravating factor. The information was then checked to see if the young person had come to notice before. In the event of the young person not already being subject to Police action and, where the behaviour warranted it, a letter (Appendix 4) was sent to parents informing them of the behaviour and inviting their co-operation in reducing future problems. The letter also informed the parents that repeated anti-social behaviour would result in the other partners to the scheme being informed. A further referral within 6 months resulted in a second letter being sent (see Appendix 5) outlining the possible consequences should the behaviour continue. A Community Police Team officer and the appropriate partner officer personally delivered this letter. The purpose of the joint visit being to reinforce the message that the behaviour would not be tolerated and to offer the services of Justice Support (see leaflet Appendix 6) who perform a befriending and support service for young persons at risk of entering the judicial system. The whole process was co-ordinated within the Community safety department of the Police and Local Authority. This department is a joint venture in Police property aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour. The intention of the letters was to engage offenders and their families in a positive manner to deter future offending similar to the ethos behind reprimand and final warning. Copies of the second letter are sent to all the partner agencies and acts as the trigger for information exchange. (Exchanging information about juveniles would have to comply with Human Rights, Data Protection and Crime and Disorder Act legislation). Identified people within each organisation were informed of the behaviour and this early trigger mechanism meant that they were in a position to identify problems they may have been experiencing from the same young people. The offer of Justice Support was also offered to the young person and parents when the letter was hand delivered by a Police Officer and partner. Should the other partners or the Police become aware of a further incident of antisocial behaviour involving the same young person, the problem solving group would hold a 'case conference'. The 'evidence' from all the agencies would be collated and interventions agreed. The interventions, dependant on the behaviour being considered, could include reprimands, final warnings, criminal prosecution, service of Notice Seeking Possession, evictions, youth offender services, mentoring by Justice Support Services, referral to Youth Inclusion Programmes, acceptable behaviour agreements, parenting agreements, anti-social behaviour orders and parenting orders. The partners would then undertake a further joint visit with the young person and their parents to discuss and agree or impose the interventions. The intention of the meeting would be to engage both the parent and the child in the proposed intervention. Failure to enter into agreement or failure to comply with the agreed intervention should result in enforcement of an intervention. It was made clear to all parties involved that this process is not a soft option and that at any time where the behaviour becomes sufficiently serious or fully criminal then the normal police processes of arrest/summons and appropriate disposal would take place. The scheme was launched as a trial on the $2^{\text {nd }}$ of April 2001 in the South Bank Police sub-district where the highest levels of anti-social behaviour were experienced. From the outset many of the forms submitted identified young people being present at a 'hot spot' location where alcoholic drink was recovered or anti-social behaviour had taken place but it was impossible to 'prove' which individuals were responsible. An additional letter was produced to inform parents of the presence of their child at these 'hot spot' locations. These letters were designated as 'general letters' (See Appendix 7). By the end of June 200167 'general' letters and 46 letter 1 warnings had been delivered. An early decision to role the campaign out to the entire district was made in July 2001 following publicity and pressure from police Officers outside South Bank. By the $31^{\text {st }}$ March 2002 the following had been generated: - 1665 referral forms had been submitted. - 605 'general' letters were delivered and - 880 'letter 1 warnings' were delivered. - 40 joint ' $2^{\text {nd }}$ letter warning visits' were made. (This figure indicates repeat offenders) - 20 families had accepted the services of Justice Support. - 13 young persons had been referred to the problem solving group. Between the $1^{\text {st }}$ April and the $31^{\text {st }}$ March 2003: - 2495 referral forms had been submitted. - 880 'general' letters were delivered. - 1209 'letter 1 warnings' were delivered. - 42 joint ' $2^{\text {nd }}$ letter warning visits' were made. - 35 families had accepted the services of Justice Support. - 26 young persons (and two adults) had been referred to the problem-solving group. In the two-year period the overwhelming majority of these young people dramatically improved their behaviour. Only 8 of the 39 young people progressed to voluntary acceptable behaviour agreements and only two of them breached the agreements. Two youths received anti-social behaviour orders. One youth has successfully complied with his order for over 18 months, returned to education and subsequently obtained a full-time job. The second youth progressed very quickly through the process and, once an anti-social behaviour order was obtained, breached it immediately. Within two months of the order being granted he was serving a 4-month sentence for the breach. The reduction and frequency of repeat offending was identified by the relatively low numbers of young people actually being discussed at the Problem Solving Group and the drop off experienced at every intervention. One of the first results of the operation was the ready acceptance and use of the referral forms by patrol officers, particularly the community police team officers. The officers felt that, at last, they were trying to do something positive about anti-social behaviour. The forms were so well accepted that within a short space of time they had been 'smuggled' to the other two police sub districts and officers began submitting them before being instructed to do so. This showed a great amount of willingness from officers and as a result the trial period was cut short and the whole district became involved from July 2001. The problem-solving group very quickly became an effective and successful partnership and the interventions provided were dramatically effective in reducing the offending behaviour. Charts have been prepared (See Appendix 9 ) outlining the interventions and their achievements. Between 01/08/02 and 31/3/03 1800 referral forms were submitted and 621 of them related to public under-age drinking. The majority of the forms referred to large gangs congregating in parks or other public areas and being loud and abusive. A small proportion of the forms identified more serious behaviour such as minor damage, graffiti and stone throwing. As part of the response a Neighbourhood Task Group was formed consisting of an additional Sergeant and four Constables. The team was deployed initially in the South Bank and Grangetown area for 6 months with a remit to work with a problem solving approach to address the key issues of the area. The team from the outset has focused on addressing the anti-social behaviour problems in the area and utilised the ABC referral forms heavily. The methods deployed include officers in plain clothes acting as spotters to identify the ring leaders in gangs causing anti-social behaviour and then using 'snatch squads' to effect arrests. The officers also have a community consultation policy where they inform the public of the operations they will be delivering and the results obtained. They deliver a strong message via the good citizen programme in schools. Having a dedicated resource looking at the problem allied to the intelligence and support systems of Operation ABC has resulted in antisocial behaviour falling by over $30 \%$ in those two wards. During the same time the District rate of anti-social behaviour fell by $1 \%$ and the force rate rose by $2 \%$. The team re-located to the wards of Eston and Normanby where over a two month period they achieved a similar fall of $30 \%$ in the reports of anti-social behaviour. In the first three month of 2003 they targeted the wards of Newcomen and Kirkleatham where they achieved a remarkable fall of $65 \%$ in the reports of anti-social behaviour. The key objectives of the scheme have been met. The intelligence database has been established and is becoming increasingly effective at identifying the small group of core offenders and hot spot areas, which are then included in the weekly intelligence tasking to patrol officers, community support officers and community safety wardens. The interventions have proved dramatically effective at reducing the offending rate of this core group and reintegrating them into society. Also with the identification of Hot Spot areas the problem solving group uses the services of the Design Out Crime officer to examine long term problem solving such as CCTV, lighting and other interventions. Anti-social behaviour reports, which had risen from 10,260 incidents to 11,436 , a rise of $12 \%$ in 2000/02, only rose to 11,899 incidents, a $4 \%$ increase in 2001.02 and fell in 2002/03 to 11,778 incidents, a fall of $1 \%$. Certain key themes have come to light through this process. - Targeting the key offenders in a gang or group has an immediate deterrent effect on the rest of the group. - Information exchange at the problem-solving group invariably provides supporting evidence i.e. if a young person is causing trouble on the street they are invariably causing trouble at school. - Both the housing and education providers often felt isolated and powerless to deal with anti-social behaviour and this process has been seen as a hugely positive step forward. - The joint warning process delivers a strong message to offenders that their behaviour has been recorded and that it will not be tolerated. - Interventions short of prosecution can be highly effective in addressing anti-social behaviour. In particular the independent work of Justice Support has been very successful in mentoring these young persons and accessing the other support services they may have required. - Without exception the victims have been empowered by the process and have a restored confidence in the determination and the ability of the police and partners to deal with this type of problem. Operation ABC has contributed to the improvement in public satisfaction with Langbaurgh Police following steady decline up to 2000. The following years have seen a satisfaction increase, in 2001 it rose to $29.5 \%$ of people who were very satisfied or satisfied with performance and 2002 saw a $8 \%$ rise to $37.4 \%$ of people that were satisfied or very satisfied. A qualitative questionnaire telephone survey was conducted with 81 randomly selected parents (a $96 \%$ return) who had received 1st warning letters. All but three of the parents agreed that the scheme was appropriate and effective. All of the parents said they had challenged their child's behavior, often grounding them for a period of time. Many unsolicited calls have also been received from concerned parents. The common thread has been how the letter from the Police gave the parent the evidence to confront the child's behaviour and apply discipline. # The Work Continues Operation ABC has been included in the 2002-2005 Community Safety Strategy for the borough. The 4 largest Registered Social Landlords have adopted the approach when addressing complaints about anti social behaviour of tenents, their children and visitors. The process involves similar $1^{\text {st }}$ and $2^{\text {nd }}$ warning letters; joint warning visits, support and mediation services. Continued anti-social behaviour results in referrals to the problem solving group to discuss interventions such as formal warnings, injunctions, eviction proceedings and anti-social behaviour agreements or orders. Following a trial in three schools all secondary schools in the borough have also adopted Operation ABC. Once again the process involves warning letters, joint visits with nominated officers or Community Safety Officers with a referral to the problemsolving group if those measures fail. The intelligence database is being developed further and the district has introduced target boards and profiling for anti-social behaviour in the same way as those used for targeting 'crime' offenders. The submission of anti-social behaviour referral forms has been included in the performance indicators. A Police weekly intelligence briefing pack for anti-social behaviour 'Hot Spots' is being provided to the local authority community safety wardens. They are also encouraged to take a more active involvement in Operation ABC. A successful growth bid was made to the Police Authority and a $2^{\text {nd }}$ Neighbourhood Task Group of a sergeant and four constables will be in place from April 2003 and they also will focus on the delivery of Operation ABC and the good citizenship programme in schools. The district will also have 23 Police Community support Officers by the end of 2003 who will be focusing on reducing anti-social behaviour and delivering ABC. The district is in an excellent position to deliver the new guidelines on anti-social behaviour orders introduced in October 2002 and likewise to deliver the measures proposed in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill. We are identifying resources and activities for young people in the community itself, involving the local authority youth and leisure services and voluntary sector organisations. A recent development involves a local public house now opening two nights a week solely as an alcohol free venue for young people. Research is underway at present to develop a reward scheme for young people who act in a positive manner within the community. In conclusion Operation ABC is an effective, intelligence lead, partnership approach to deal with persistent anti-social behaviour. It is highly effective at dealing with the hard core of persistent offenders. It will increasingly direct future Policing Operations, however, at present no effective legal sanction is available to the police, or local authorities, to deal with the problem of under age drinking. Changes to the law are probably required. The majority of the youths complained about are of good character doing little more than 'hanging out' and much of the time the situation requires managing rather than enforcing. The experience with the Neighbourhood Task Group has shown that it can impact on the large numbers of complaints received regarding under age drinking and the gangs of youths on street corners and shopping parades but only if the resources are made available and properly directed. Sgt 260 Bryan Tarns # Appendices 1. Chart showing levels of anti-social behaviour by ward. 2. Neighbourhood Watch Survey Results. 3. Multi-Pack Referral Form. 4. Letter 1. 5. Letter 2. 6. Justice Support Referral. 7. General Letter. 8. 3 Case Summaries. 9. Problem Solving Group Referrals.( Year 1) 10. Problem Solving Group Referrals to date. ![img-5.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-5.jpeg) The first graph shows the levels of anti-social behaviour across a four year period. Langbaurgh has nine wards which are identified as being in the top $10 \%$ of most deprived wards in England and Wales. These are South Bank,Grangetown,Dormanstown,Eston, Newcommen, Lockwood \& Skinningrove, Kirkleatham, Loftus and Coatham. These wards are clearly identified with ASB problems. ![img-6.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-6.jpeg) # Appendix 2 ## Neighborhood Watch Survey Results Completed Surveys returned 56 out of 200: $26 \%$ | Question | Strongly agree | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | | :--: | :--: | :--: | :--: | :--: | :--: | | Anti - social behaviour is on the increase | 30 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 1 | | I am satisfied with the police response/action to anti-social behaviour | 5 | 18 | 21 | 11 | 1 | | Only youngsters are Anti-social | 8 | 1 | 8 | 28 | 11 | | Parents should be made more accountable for their children's actions | 40 | 14 | 1 | 1 | | | The Police could do more to combat Anti-social behaviour | 18 | 20 | 13 | 3 | 2 | | The housing providers could do more to combat Anti-social behaviour | 27 | 22 | 5 | 2 | | | I feel safe when out and about | 8 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 9 | | Everyone is anti-social some of the time | 5 | 22 | 8 | 18 | 3 | | Anti-social behaviour is no worse in South Bank than anywhere else | 14 | 27 | 5 | 8 | 2 | | A major cause of anti-social behaviour is boredom | 30 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 5 | The key findings of the survey are: - 45 Respondents ( $80 \%$ ) believed anti-social behaviour to be on the increase - 54 Respondents ( $96 \%$ ) believed parents should be more accountable for their children's actions - 38 Respondents ( $68 \%$ ) believed the Police could do more to combat anti-social behaviour - 49 Respondents ( $87.5 \%$ ) believed the housing providers could do more to combat antisocial behaviour - 41 Respondents ( $76 \%$ ) believed that anti-social behaviour in South Bank was no worse than anywhere else 41 Respondents ( $76 \%$ ) believed a major cause of anti-social behaviour was boredom ![img-7.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-7.jpeg) | 4 | Brief Details of Incident | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 | Any Action taken (i.e. verbal warnings) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Alcohol/Drugs Involved | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Officer Submitting | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Please forward this form to Incident Research via internal mail | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sean Price BSc(Hons) MSt(Cantab) Chief Constable Your Ref: Our Ref: $\quad \mathrm{ABC} / 1944 / 03$ Dear Parent or Guardian of ## Luke Skywalker bn 20.5.85 Langbaurgh District Police are committed to working in Partnership with other agencies in order to reduce levels of nuisance, anti-social and sub-criminal behaviour, often attributed to young people. The intention is to help improve behaviour, divert young people from entering the criminal justice system unnecessarily, and improve the quality of life for everyone concerned. The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the fact that it was necessary for Police officers to speak to your child regarding anti-social behaviour at Moonbase during the evening of $10^{\text {th }}$ May 2003. At 8.40 pm Luke was found congregating with a group of youths, he was in possession of two bottles of wine. The alcohol was disposed of and Luke was taken home and warned regarding his concuct. Cleveland Police do not intend to take any further action against your child on this occasion and I hope that you receive this letter in the spirit it is intended, i.e. to reduce future problems. I must point out that if there is any repetition of this or similar anti-social behaviour then the various partner agencies (schools, housing providers etc.,) will be informed. The object of informing other agencies is to share information regarding such behaviour and jointly develop interventions to address it. Obviously we hope we do not have further need to contact you regarding this matter. Should you wish to discuss the situation further please contact Sgt. Tarns or PC Aldus tel. 01642 302095/82. Bet. 0900 and 1700 Mon to Fri. Yours sincerely PC 27 Aldus - Community Safety The Parents/Guardian Luke Skywalker 15 Empire Street Moonbase Cleveland CRIMESTOPPERS 0800555111 ![img-8.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-8.jpeg) We are an equal opportunities employer ![img-9.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-9.jpeg) # CLEVELAND POLICE Langbaurgh District Dawson House 11 Ridley Street Redcar TS10 ITT YourRef: OurRef: $\quad \mathrm{ABC} 2 / 83 / 03$ 16 May 2003 Dear Parent/Guardian ## Re: Luke Skywalker, 15 Empire Street Moonbase bn 20.5.85 Langbaurgh District Police are committed to working in Partnership with young people, their families, schools, Housing Providers and Youth Justice Services to reduce the levels of nuisance and anti-social behaviour attributable to young people. The intention is to improve the behaviour of young people, avoid young people entering the criminal justice system unnecessarily and improve the quality of life for everyone concerned. The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the fact that it has been necessary for Police Officers to warn your child recently regarding anti-social behaviour. PC Vader spoke to your child at 9.25 pm on the 15.5 .03 at High Street, Moonbase when Luke was found in a hot spot area of anti social behaviour. At this time Luke was using foul language to passers by. The officer noted that Luke had been drinking alcohol and was moved on from the area. This incident follows others, which have been communicated to you recently by letter. The Police do not intend to take any further action against your child on this occasion and we hope that you receive this letter in the spirit it is intended, that being to reduce future problems. I must point out that the Police and our partners are committed to reducing the level of anti-social behaviour in the District. Anti-social behaviour can have a huge impact on the quality of life for everyone living in the area and be particularly damaging to the elderly or vulnerable members of the community. A copy of this letter has been forwarded to the partner agencies informing them of your child's anti-social behaviour and inviting them to inform the partnership of similar problems or issues they may be aware of. If you wish to discuss this letter or if you have any other concerns please contact PC 27 Aldus on 01642302095 or Sgt Lister on 01642302083 Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm If there is any repeat of this or similar anti-social behaviour the various partner agencies will meet to discuss what action to take, which could include criminal proceedings. Obviously we hope we do not have further need to contact you regarding this matter. Yours faithfully ## PC 27 Aldus Community Safety # What's all this about $i$ JUSTICE? Justice isn't only about crime and punishment. In the dictionary"the word 'Justice' is shown to mean 'the principle of fairness'. Fairness is exactly what the Justice Support Project is all about. Promoting and encouraging fairness to local people (particularly young people), whoever they are, as individuals and as groups within their own neighbourhoods. Justice Support is about restoring a balance of fairness into people's lives where there is felt to be none. Strengthening the skills that they, themselves, already possess, to help them deal more positively with life's difficult issues. Not taking away their right to make their own decisions but providing the support that will help them to become more comfortable with their responsibilities and more confident about their future. Most people need support at some point in their lives, whether it is to get through a particularly difficult time or simply to receive information and advice. ![img-10.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-10.jpeg) ## What's in it ForYou? In order of services in North Eastern communities the sorts of people to better manage their day-toting lives and to with the stresses that sometimes arise. None of those services willdictate to you, nor tell you how you should live; they will simply help you regain control of your own life by improving your ability to make responsible decisions and carry them through. ## The under 18's In today's society, we know how hard it can be for young people to avoid activities or behaviour that may lead them into trouble. There are many things in everyday life that seem to make it impossible to remain trouble free. ## Caring for the under 18's We also know just how difficult it can be caring for children and young people. It's not just 'bad' parents who find it difficult but it certainly is 'good' parents who seek help. ## A variety of services JEP works with non offenders and offenders alike, any young person who wants to improve their chances in life and any parent or carer who wants to more positively influence their own child/ren towards a better future. This work is always on a one-to-one basis, at a time that most suits you and in the comfort of your own home. In addition, the project also provides awareness programmes on children's and young people's issues to groups of pupils in local schools. Sean Price BSc(Hons) MSt(Cantab) Chief Constable Your Ref: OurRef: $\quad \mathrm{ABCG} / 1337 / 03$ Dear Parent/Guardian # Luke Skywalker bn 20.5.85 Langbaurgh District Police are committed to reducing levels of nuisance and anti-social behaviour often attributed to young people. The intention is to help improve their behaviour, divert young people from entering the criminal justice system unnecessarily, and improve the quality of life for everyone concerned. One of the locations police regularly receives complaints regarding criminal damage and general offensive behaviour and anti-social behaviour is in Darth Road, Moonbase. The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the fact that PC Vader had reason to speak to Luke on the $1^{\text {st }}$ May 2003 at 1.25 pm when he was found congregating with a group of youths causing annoyance to local residents. Luke was given a verbal warning regarding his behaviour and warned about the problems in the area. I should point out that while your child has not committed any offence, the purpose of the letter is to bring to your attention his/her presence at a 'hot spot' area of anti-social behaviour. We are seeking your co-operation in reducing these problems and avoiding your child being drawn into anti-social or criminal behaviour. If you require any further information please contact PC Aldus on 01642302095 between the hours of 0900 and 1700 hrs Monday to Friday. Yours faithfully ## PC 27 Aldus Community Safety The Parent /Guardian ofLuke Skywalker15 Empire StreetMoonbaseCleveland CRIMESTOPPERS 0800555111 ![img-11.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/03-52/img-11.jpeg) We are an equal opportunities employer A 15-year-old male was identified as his behaviour deteriorated badly between February and July 2001. He was threatening abusive and violent towards residents and shopkeepers within a small community. The violence included stone throwing, offers to fight and on one occasion a threat with a knife. He was disruptive and violent in school. Following exclusion he was receiving home tuition but rarely made himself available. He interfered with the emergency services by abusing and harassing police officers, calling out the fire service and hanging off the back of fire tenders, abusing an ambulance crew and turning on mains water supplies and flooding the street. The behaviour was always in front of a large group of his friends and was very much about showing off. Much of the information and evidence, particularly that from education, did not come to light until the problem solving group met. The consensus of the professionals who had contact with the youth was that he believed he could do what he liked and no one would prevent him. The group agreed to seek an anti-social behaviour order but at the same time have on offer and available to him support services particularly in respect of education. The evidence gathering was swift and effective. The District Judge commented favorably on the evidence gathering and consultation processes and granted the order naming the youth. Since receiving the order he returned to full time education and is currently in full time employment. He has only had one minor incident of anti-social behaviour, well outside the area he was excluded from, and it did not warrant a return to court as a breach of the order. Case study: 2 A 14yr old male had come to police attention on 11 occasions between May 2000 and the $2^{\text {nd }}$ September 2001. Warning letters had been sent to the youth without effect. The full extent of this youth's behaviour was not revealed until the problem-solving group met. For over a year the youth, accompanied by a gang of friends had been attending a local school terrorising the pupils, selecting victims and beating them up. There was hearsay evidence to show he had been robbing some of the youths and when challenged by staff he had threatened them with violence and goaded them to attack him. The level of fear was so great that only one pupil victim was prepared to give evidence. It also transpired that the youth had been failing to attend his own school during this period. He was offered and agreed to an acceptable behaviour agreement. This coincided with the publicity regarding the issue of the Anti-social behaviour order described above. To the surprise of all involved this youth has totally complied with the agreement and has not come to the police notice whatsoever since it was served in September 2001. Case study: 3 A gang of nine young persons aged between 10 to 12 yrs of age was identified causing serious problems and terrorising residents on a large housing estate. Evidence was gathered identifying the behaviour. All of them were warned about their behaviour and the three worst offenders were offered acceptable behaviour agreements. Our partners in housing also served Notices Seeking Possession on the three parents to reinforce the Agreements that the children entered into. Over 600 households were leafleted to tell the public what we were doing. These interventions received a lot of positive publicity and had an immediate calming effect on the estate and the behaviour of all the children dramatically improved. | Age, Gender, Area | Behaviour | Intervention and Date | Result | | :--: | :--: | :--: | :--: | | 14 yr old male Grangetown | Damage, threatening, insulting behaviour. Several incidents. | April 2001. Joint warning and family support from Soc. Services. | No new Referrals | | 14 yr old male South Bank | Fire setting, damage, Unruly behaviour | April 2001. Joint Warning. Referral to Fire Brigade Education service. Educational Support | No new Referrals | | 13 yr old male Grangetown | Racial abuse, public Drinking, nuisance to Shopkeepers | April 2001. Joint warning. Educational package. Eviction Notice to parents | Behaviour much improved. No new referrals | | Two 15 yr old males Marske | Trespass and disruption at school. Public drinking | June 2001. Joint Warning and monitor situation | Behaviour much improved. New reports from February 2002. Further warning given | | 15 yr old Male, South Bank | Threatening, abusive violent. Escalating in gravity. Almost on a daily basis. | Anti-Social Behaviour Order. Issued 18.9.01 | Conformance with order. Returned to Full time Education No new Referrals | | 14 yr old Male Nunthorpe | Sustained campaign of violence against pupils at local a school. Including threats to staff. 2 to 3 incidents a week Between May/Sept 2001 | Acceptable Behaviour Agreement accepted 18.09.01 | 100\% compliance. Nil Breaches No new Referrals | | 12yr old male Charltons | Nuisance behaviour noisy and unruly | 06.11.01 Joint warning, Justice Support mentoring, Educational package | No new Referrals | | 16 yr old male Redcar | Violent, threatening behaviour, damage, Neighbour nuisance | 23.01.02 Joint warning, Justice Support mentoring Anger management | No new Referrals | | 17yr old female | Public drinking | 23.01.02 Joint warning | No new Referrals | | 11 yr old male Redcar | Truancy, nuisance and abusive behaviour | $\begin{aligned} & 23.01 .02 \\ & \text { Justice Support Mentoring } \end{aligned}$ | No new Referrals | | 15 yr old male Spencerbeck | Abusive, insulting, offensive threatening and intimidatory behaviour towards shop staff | 23.01.02. Offered Justice Support, offered acceptable behaviour agreement. Declined all offers ignored warnings. | Evidence gathered. ASBO Proceedings Initiated | | 13yr old female Grangetown | Abusive, insulting, offensive threatening and intimidatory behaviour towards library staff and customers | 19.02.02. Accepted Justice support and acceptable behaviour agreement. | Marked Improvement in Behaviour. 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