Release Date:  24-Jun-2008

Bristol’s success in tackling anti-social behaviour will be under the spotlight at a beacon showcase event this week.

Officers from local authorities across the UK will be attending the event on Wednesday, June 25 and Thursday, June 26 which will examine best local and national practice.

The event will focus on prevention, early interventions and enforcement practice. Bristol was awarded Beacon status for its innovative and successful approach to tackling ASB through such work as the Family Support Project which works with families at risk of eviction because of anti-social behaviour.

The event will include keynote addresses from Bristol City Council’s Chief Executive, Jan Ormondroyd; Julian Moss, Superintendent with Avon and Somerset Police and Marianne Hood, Chair of the Beacon Advisory Panel.

Councillor Derek Pickup, Cabinet Member for Care, Tackling Deprivation and Crime, said: “Bristol has won national recognition for its innovative and highly successful approach to tackling anti-social behaviour such as the Family Support Project.

"This event will bring together representatives from local authorities across the country with a view to sharing best practice on a whole range of issues around the subject of creating safer communities by working together to make a difference.”

Among the topics for discussion will be the innovative, multi-agency Streetwise team which tackles street based ASB; prostitution; parenting; preventing violent crime in the city centre; tackling guns and gangs – this will take place with a representative from the Home Office; domestic abuse and violence in the home and engaging with young people.
 
The Beacon event, which includes a series of workshops and a range of exhibition stands, will be held at the Council House, College Green, Bristol.

The Family Support Project has the capacity to work with up to 48 families per year. Of the families it has worked with:

• There has been an 78% reduction of ASB in families engaged by FSP
•  100% avoidance of eviction
•  68% avoidance of other formal action
•  40% improvement in educational attendance
•  A reduction in the number of people who feel ASB is a problem where they live (Quality of Life survey) to 40% (49.2% in 2005/6)
• An increase in the number of people who feel they are treated with respect and consideration in their area (measured by QoL survey) to 59.7% from 56% in 2005/6.

A total of 91% of ASB is resolved through informal, non-legal action.  Other ASB outcomes include 10 injunctions and three ASBOs in the last quarter.

Author:  

For all media enquiries relating to this press release, please contact Corporate Communications on 0117 922 2650.

To link to this page directly, use the URL
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/redirect?oid=PressRelease-id-26030001

Subscribe to our free email bulletin service and get the latest news and information about consultations and events happening in the city - www.bristol.gov.uk/newsdirect