Written question asked by James Brokenshire (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 March 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 March 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 March 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many acceptable behaviour contracts were issued in each of the last two years; and what proportion have been complied with.

Answer: Data on acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) are not collected by the Home Office as they are voluntary agreements and therefore not suitable for central data collection. However, surveys carried out by the Home Office of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) indicated that over 25,000 ABCs have been made since October 2003. The Home Office has issued updated and comprehensive guidance for practitioners on the use of ABCs.A National Audit Office study in December 2006 found that such interventions were highly effective in combating antisocial behaviour."65 per cent. of people stopped behaving antisocially after one intervention;""86 per cent. after two; and""93 per cent. after three."

Secondary information