Supporting Evidence-Based Policy Development
In 2025, the Scottish Government commissioned SC Scotland (Scottish Community Safety Network at the time) to conduct a nationwide review of antisocial behaviour (ASB) strategies across Scotland's 32 local authorities. This work followed recommendations from the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour and aimed to gather baseline information to inform future policy development and implementation.
The review represents the first comprehensive mapping of ASB strategies across Scotland, providing Scottish Government with accurate, current data on how local authorities approach this persistent community safety challenge.
What We Discovered
25 out of 32 local authorities participated, providing detailed information about their ASB strategies, governance arrangements, and delivery approaches. The findings reveal a landscape characterised by strong collaborative intent, innovative local practice, and significant shared challenges.
Strong Partnership Working
ASB strategies are developed collaboratively across Scotland, involving Local Authorities, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, NHS, housing providers, third-sector organisations, and justice partners. This multi-agency approach is the consistent foundation across all participating areas.
Diverse Integration Approaches
Most authorities have embedded their ASB strategies within broader frameworks such as Local Outcome Improvement Plans, Community Safety Plans, and Community Justice Plans. A minority maintain standalone strategies. Interestingly, views differ on which approach offers better accountability—authorities with integrated strategies questioned the need for standalone documents, whilst those maintaining separate strategies argued they ensure clearer responsibility.
Innovative Practice
The review showcased considerable innovation across Scotland:
- Multi-agency coordination – Daily tasking hubs, co-located services, and well-established partnership structures enabling fast information sharing
- Early intervention – Wellbeing-focused, person-centred responses through family support partnerships, mediation, and estate walkabouts
- Youth engagement – Co-designed youth hubs, diversionary activities, and multi-agency operations during high-risk periods like bonfire night
- Technology and data – CCTV integration, widespread use of the Noise App for evidence gathering, and historical pattern analysis guiding interventions
- Place-based solutions – Localised, intelligence-led responses tailored to specific communities, from high-density housing to rural villages
Persistent Challenges
Authorities were candid about obstacles they face:
- Resource constraints and funding reductions affecting councils, Police Scotland and partner agencies
- Complexity of ASB cases requiring significant time and multi-agency coordination
- Information sharing barriers due to data protection laws
- Public misunderstanding of what constitutes ASB and unrealistic expectations for quick enforcement
- The non-statutory status of ASB functions (beyond holding a strategy) creating instability in planning and delivery
- Widespread view that the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 needs updating
What Happens Next
The data collected through this review will inform subsequent phases of Scottish Government work on antisocial behaviour policy and implementation. By providing a comprehensive baseline, the review enables evidence-based decision-making that reflects the realities facing practitioners across Scotland's diverse local authority landscape.
Our role in facilitating this review demonstrates the value of national coordination in gathering consistent information across almost all 32 areas, ensuring that policy development is grounded in frontline experience and local innovation.
Read the Full Report
For detailed findings including partnership structures, governance arrangements, and specific examples of good practice from participating authorities, download the complete review.
Download ASB_Strategy_Review_2025 (Public Report)
For more information about SC Scotland's work supporting community safety partnerships across Scotland, contact us at hello@scscotland.org.uk
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