Government 'complacent' on antisocial behaviour

The Scottish Government has been accused of complacency in the fight against antisocial behaviour.

Labour's James Kelly, MSP for Glasgow Rutherglen, levelled the charge at the SNP administration, saying ministers needed to show more leadership.

But Community safety minister Fergus Ewing insisted the Government had the right focus, with work aimed at preventing the problem, intervening early to try to halt it and offering other activities to divert youngsters away from antisocial behaviour.

Mr Kelly argued: "Antisocial behaviour is unacceptable. The SNP are standing by and letting our communities down."

He said the number of fixed penalties issued for antisocial behaviour had increased from 49,000 to 61,000, and added the problem had "blighted the lives of so many people throughout Scotland".

Mr Ewing said: "We are confident that the focus is the right one, on prevention, on intervention, on diversion, and that working with partners effectively is the right way to address successfully antisocial behaviour.

"But we are not now and we never shall be complacent about any of these matters because we are acutely aware just how some types of antisocial behaviour can ruin and blight the lives of too many people around Scotland. That is entirely unacceptable."

During the debate Mr Ewing claimed that focusing "solely on punishment" would not prevent antisocial behaviour.

He said: "Prevention is better than cure. Long-term positive outcomes will only be delivered if we tackle the causes of antisocial behaviour, rather than simply focusing only on its symptoms.

"We can promote positive behaviour by creating more choices and chances."