Probation officers fail to buy into antisocial behaviour policies

Some probation officers are refusing to supervise anti-social
behaviour orders because they “don’t believe” in
the policy, a conference has heard, writes Maria Ahmed
from the conference in Loughborough.

A police officer from London told a seminar at rehabilitation
agency Nacro’s annual youth crime conference that many
probation officers believed asbos were criminalising individuals
and “unnecessary”.

A youth offending team worker also raised concerns over the
“side-lining” of Yots in decision-making about
asbos.

She told a seminar: “We are being undermined and it is
very frustrating as we often have the most contact with the young
people involved.”

Another worker said asbos were a sign that “society had
failed” to divert individuals away from antisocial activities
and offer adequate support.

He added: “Services, not the young person, should be held
to account.”

Nacro’s annual conference in Loughborough is examining the
effects of antisocial behaviour legislation on children and young
people.