Early intervention helps prevent ASBO generation
4 June 2010
A pilot scheme to challenge the behaviour of unruly youngsters and then offer them support to keep on the straight and narrow, is being rolled out across Manchester.
The Challenge and Support scheme, which has been operating in north Manchester and Wythenshawe since April 2008, is now up and running throughout the whole of the city.
Under the scheme, Challenge and Support officers work closely with the neighbourhood policing team and the local community in each area to identify youngsters who may be involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, anti social behaviour. The youngsters' parents are informed and the family is assessed. If officers feel further support or intervention is needed the relevant agencies are involved. So far, of the 1,694 youngsters who have been engaged by the project only five have progressed to interim ASBOS and just two to full ASBOS.
The scheme works through tough enforcement against the youngsters committing anti social behaviour and appropriate support for them and their families to challenge the root causes of anti social behaviour.
Manchester City Council's Deputy Leader, Councillor Jim Battle said: "We want to make sure young people get the best possible chances in life and this scheme shows that if we offer support at an early stage, very few youngsters continue to behave in an anti social way."
