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There has been much discussion as to the efficacy of such a style of policing. As many of its advocates claimed, crime rates in New York City did drop dramatically in the period following the introduction of zero tolerance. The exact cause of this drop is disputed, however, as many American cities witnessed similar declines without adopting zero tolerance. In the UK, the idea that crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour can be reduced by targeting and prosecuting minor offences and incivilities – especially in relation to young people – has underpinned many of the youth justice policy reforms of the last two decades. Anti-social behaviour orders, for example, require a much lower threshold of evidence and permit more intensive policing of young people’s public presence and behaviour.