Question reference: S4W-04119
- Asked by: Derek Mackay, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 21 November 2011
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Current status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 1 December 2011
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its next steps will be to tackle antisocial behaviour.
Answer
Tackling antisocial behaviour and making communities safer and stronger remains a top priority for this Government. On 19 March 2009 the Scottish Government and COSLA jointly published their Framework for tackling antisocial behaviour, Promoting Positive Outcomes. It followed a thorough review of national antisocial behaviour policy, recognising that prevention and early and effective intervention, and diversion, should be at its heart.
Actions that contribute to these aims include over £44 million of the proceeds of crime re-invested by the CashBack programme into communities across Scotland through sporting, cultural, youth and third sector organisations, with over 600,000 young people benefitting from diversionary activities and intervention projects. This investment will continue to help reduce anti-social behaviour.
We are also providing government support for a High Hedges Bill, which will tackle a form of anti-social behaviour that blights many lives. In addition, we will consult on measures which would allow social landlords greater flexibility where there is evidence of anti-social behaviour; and will commence provisions in the Private Rented Housing Act 2011 requiring a local authority to take into account antisocial behaviour affecting the property of a private landlord, in deciding if that landlord is a fit and proper person to let property.