Antisocial behaviour in Scotland: what’s the problem, what’s the plan?
Tuesday 10th June 2025
Antisocial behaviour in Scotland features regularly in news reporting in a variety of different contexts. That it is taking place and is causing significant damage to the quality of life for both individuals and communities is not in dispute. The question is, who has the responsibility to tackle it, when should they be addressing it and how can this be given priority for both cure and prevention?
The antisocial behaviour that many communities in Scotland regularly face manifests in a wide variety of ways. From abuse of retail staff through to youth disorder. Violence and threatening behaviour to misuse of fireworks. Episodes of street crime and town centre misbehaviour which can range from shop lifting to intimidation. Antisocial behaviour taking place on buses, trains or occurring in housing settings. Problems associated with substance misuse. The list of ways in which antisocial behaviour is felt by its victims is long. At the extreme end of the spectrum this behaviour can be life altering for victims. At the other end of the spectrum, one person's antisocial behaviour may be another person's normal or reasonable lifestyle.
The Scottish Government set up the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour which reported and made recommendations in February of this year. Its purpose was to consider how effective the current approach to understanding and preventing antisocial behaviour is and "to develop a holistic, long term, strategic approach to improve the lives of communities across Scotland." The Group's report included five recommendations and eight calls for action. In its conclusion, the Group stated that "two approaches are required – firstly, prevention, to stop future antisocial behaviour, and the second, situational, to address behaviour as it happens."
This conference examines the nature of antisocial behaviour, the responses to it and the remedies available for both its prevention and reaction to its occurrences. Whose responsibility is this, what urgency and primacy will be given to the current recommendations and what can and should each agency with a role in tackling the issue do to assist?
It will focus on three themes:
- Understanding what antisocial behaviour is
- Embracing what works
- Exploring action and interventions
Topics to be discussed
- Understanding what antisocial behaviour is
- Antisocial behaviour – what is it, where is it and who is it?
- The recommendations of Scotland's Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour
- Embracing what works
- A policing response to antisocial behaviour
- Delivering effective partnership working
- Early intervention and prevention – what really works?
- Exploring action and interventions
- Recognising, measuring and reporting antisocial behaviour
- What is the UK antisocial behaviour action plan?
- Criminal justice and diversion – who should be doing what?
Who should attend
This conference is for anyone working in the private, public and voluntary sectors with a role in addressing antisocial behaviour in any setting. This includes:
- Housing
- Youth work
- Councils
- Policing and the criminal justice system
- Transport
- Town centre management
- Social care and health
- Third sector
Agenda
Tuesday 10th June 2025
09:25 Chair's opening remarks
Session 1: Understanding what antisocial behaviour is
09:30 Keynote speaker
09:45 Question and answer session
09:55 Antisocial behaviour – what is it, where is it and who is it?
- What qualifies as antisocial behaviour?
- How does the range of antisocial behaviours manifest?
- Age, locations, behaviours – what needs to be recognised, reported and resolved
10:10 The recommendations of Scotland's Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour
- The remit, work and objectives of the working group
- What was learned and what more needs to be considered?
- Understanding the recommendations – what are they and how can they be addressed?
10:25 Question and answer session
10:40 Comfort break
Session 2: Embracing what works
10:55 A policing response to antisocial behaviour
- The policing perspective on antisocial behaviour
- What does law enforcement need to be able to assist and to act?
- Sharing data, collaboration and deploying a range of remedies
11:10 Delivering effective partnership working
- What does effective partnership working look like?
- Who should partner and how can they partner?
- Partnership in prevention, response and remedy
11:25 Early intervention and prevention – what really works?
- Understanding what early intervention means
- Who should intervene and where and when should it be done?
- Prevention – what really works?
11:40 Question and answer session
11:55 Comfort break
Session 3: Exploring action and interventions
12:10 Recognising, measuring and reporting antisocial behaviour
- Why reporting matters
- What should be reported, how should it be reported?
- Tackling barriers to reporting
12:25 What is the UK antisocial behaviour action plan?
- Is the UK plan addressing the same issues as Scotland?
- What does the UK plan propose?
- Can we learn anything from the UK approach?
12:40 Criminal justice and diversion – who should be doing what?
- The range of remedies open to law enforcement, courts, public bodies and victims
- Whose crime is it anyway – is there a shared understanding of what antisocial behaviour is?
- The role of restorative justice
12:55 Question and answer session
13:10 Chair's closing remarks
Speakers
Venue
This conference takes place online.
Fees
How to book
You can book to attend in 3 ways:
- Select book now on the right hand side of this page, fill in the form on that page and click the 'send booking' button
- Call 0131 556 1500
- Email mail@mackayhannah.com
Conference fees
- Delegate fee (includes video recording of the conference) – £169 +VAT
- Group discount – organisations booking 3 or more delegates will receive every third delegate place at half price (please complete further forms if necessary)
Please note – It is not permissible to share the recording. Please contact us if you wish to share it. See our terms and conditions for further information.
Payment
We do not currently accept payments online and will send you an invoice.
You have the option to pay by bank transfer or card.
Bank details will be included on the invoice.
If you wish to pay by card, please tick the appropriate box on the booking form and a member of our staff will contact you by telephone to take the payment. Alternatively you may call 0131 556 1500.
Terms and conditions
By placing this booking, you agree to the full terms and conditions found via the link at the foot of our website.
