Government to review statutory guidance on ASB case reviews
The Government is to review statutory guidance to make anti-social behaviour case reviews more accessible and effective for victims.
The move is in response to recommendations from the Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove.
At present when victims of anti-social behaviour believe their case is not being dealt with appropriately by the relevant agencies like councils, police, and housing providers they can ask that their case is reviewed through the ASB case review mechanism.
The Home Office and the Ministry of Justice said the review would include giving victims a voice within the process “by encouraging all agencies involved to communicate the progress of their case and giving victims the opportunity to shape action plans to tackle the anti-social behaviour they have been victims of”.
The Government will also recommend independent chairs oversee case reviews “so that victims feel confident that their case will be dealt with fairly and objectively, while victims will be given one person to turn to rather than dealing with multiple agencies”.
A new victims’ code is to be published later this year that will “make clear that victims of criminal anti-social behaviour fall within the scope of the code, including an entitlement to expect to be able to access support services”, the Home Office and the MoJ said.
New respect orders are meanwhile to be introduced through the Crime and Policing Bill which will enable agencies and courts “to place tough restrictions on the behaviour of persistent anti-social behaviour offenders, with tough enforcement and sentencing options if orders are breached”.
Minister for Crime and Policing Dame Diana Johnson said: “For victims of anti-social behaviour, the impact on their lives can be devastating, but for too long their needs have not been met, with varied levels of support and poor access to information.
“These changes will help ensure that the needs of victims are at the forefront of how police and local authorities respond to anti-social behaviour and are another vital step in our mission to deliver Safer Streets, as part of our Plan for Change.”
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said: “More must be done to support victims of anti-social behaviour, and I welcome the government’s response to my report as a positive first step.
“My report highlighted the transformative impact of a single point of contact (SPOC) to ensure victims feel heard and supported, so I’m pleased this recommendation is being taken forward.”
She added: “It is so important victims of ASB are given a voice and are listened to. Planned reforms to strengthen statutory guidance for the ASB case review process are a welcome measure to build trust and empower victims. For these reforms to have the greatest impact, changes to the law will be the crucial next step.
“I look forward to working with the government to bolster protections and the law. The upcoming consultation on the victims’ code offers a key opportunity for progress. It is essential we get this right, as there is still much more to be done for lasting change.”
