To ask the Minister of Justice (i) for her assessment of antisocial behaviour in Northern Ireland; and (ii) to outline the work being done by her Department to address this issue.

The term anti-social behaviour (ASB) can be used to describe a wide range of behaviours which have a negative effect on quality of life issues and which fall below the threshold for criminal prosecution.

Tackling ASB is a strategic priority for local Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs) which are funded by my Department and the NI Policing Board and which have a key role in assessing the extent of actual and perceived ASB in local communities. PCSPs address ASB by liaising with their local communities and other key partners, including local statutory bodies/agencies and the voluntary and community sector, to develop appropriate actions to deal with, and reduce, the impact of ASB.

Details of the various initiatives to address ASB can be found in individual PCSP annual Action Plans. Some initiatives currently being delivered include the provision of community safety warden services; diversionary and community engagement projects; detached youth programmes; delivery of educational programmes; awareness raising campaigns to prevent ASB; projects with Night Time Economy stakeholders and small grant schemes.

Complementing the operational work being undertaken by PCSPs, my officials are also engaged, via a cross Departmental and multi-agency delivery group, in a review of current ASB legislation. This review aims to ensure relevant bodies, such as PSNI and councils, have effective and proportionate enforcement powers in place to deal with ASB.

It should be noted that policy responsibility for potential new powers and/or amendment of existing powers arising from the ASB legislation review sits across three government departments – DAERA, DfC and DoJ. The timescale for implementation of any new or amended power(s) for addressing anti-social behaviour will, where relevant, depend on each Departmental lead and their legislative work programme. In those areas where my Department has policy responsibility, when a decision is made to either amend an existing power or create a new power to address ASB, this work will be treated as a priority, and a suitable legislative vehicle sought.