Written question asked by Caroline Flint (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 October 1997. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Monday, 27 October 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: If he will comment on the relationship between anti-social behaviour and crime.

Answer: Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the relationship between anti-social behaviour and crime. [11686] Mr. Michael: The British crime survey has demonstrated a link between disorder or low-level misbehaviour and the levels of more serious crime in an area. Anti-social behaviour also causes alarm and distress and heightens the fear of crime. Tackling this sort of conduct and preventing its escalating into more serious criminal behaviour is a central element in our policy towards making our communities safer. Proposals in the Crime and Disorder Bill which we will introduce later this year will address this directly and we are working with the police on ways to identify and target anti-social behaviour.

Secondary information