Tackling anti-social behaviour remains a key priority for the government. It is unacceptable for people to endure months, even years, of persistent intimidation and harassment, leading to insecurity and unhappiness and a corrosive effect across our communities.

We should all expect to live peacefully in our neighbourhoods. And no one who reports anti-social behaviour should be made to feel that they are the ones causing the nuisance, rather than the perpetrator.

The government is committed to driving down anti-social behaviour, by both supporting those who suffer from it and making sure local authorities and the police are taking fast and effective action against it.

We have introduced new powers to tackle bad behaviour in all its forms, including anti-social behaviour orders, dispersal orders and, most recently, premises closure orders.

When these powers are used, they work. If councils and the police take action - whether that’s applying for an ASBO or serving a parenting order - 65 per cent of perpetrators stop their problem behaviour immediately. Eighty six per cent desist when reprimanded a second time and 93 per cent after the third intervention.

We want to ensure that those responsible for using these powers understand how to get the best out of them. That is why we have a significant package of practitioner support in place including workshops, the ASB telephone action line and the ASB action website.

There is also a new national group of ASB experts troubleshooting across the country. They are focused on targeting areas not using the tools and powers available to them or where the perception of anti-social behaviour is high.

Our priorities over the coming months will be to make sure that areas are making the best use of the powers; to give the public more say in how anti-social behaviour is tackled in their area and to provide increased support to victims and witnesses when cases are reported.

I know that social landlords are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and we are counting on the support of the housing sector to continue to deliver a high standard of service to residents.

As we go forward, the new standards being set by the Tenant Services Authority will help to ensure high levels are maintained.

We don’t need new powers or to reconstitute existing ones. But we all need to challenge the culture of tolerance - among people who don’t report anti-social behaviour because they assume they have to put up with it, and, in some cases where councils, the police or other partners fail to respond to public concern.

Nearly a third of people say that anti-social behaviour is their biggest worry when it comes to law and order. We therefore need to continue our efforts to help support people to stand up for their communities.

David Hanson is minister for policing and crime

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