Thursday 25 January 2001 9:48 pm
In a recent report on crime by the BBC, Islington new Anti-Social Behaviour contracts were highlighted as an effective method to reduce crime.

Cllr Bridget Fox, deputy leader of Islington Council, is chair of the partnership committee formed in 1999 amid concern about the level of assaults. She says the success of co-operation between the council, the police, the probation service and the health authority in setting common targets has had a marked effect.

"The first task is to recognise crime as a problem. Running public services is about responding to what people need. Our partnership has helped us target resources."

The Acceptable Behaviour Contract are having a big effect and are already copied by other forces. The ABC's as they have been dubbed are an agreement of good behaviour signed by a troublesome youth, their parents and the police. It creates a forum for discussion, while underlining the consequences of further anti-social behaviour.

Bridget Fox believes that unlike the government's much-heralded Anti-Social Behaviour Order, the contract "gives a sense of control" to the young person. Families can be cautioned and eventually evicted on the basis of the conduct of their children, although the power has yet to be fully used.