ABSTRACT
The focus on antisocial behaviour (ASB) management, arising in the mid-1990s in the UK, reflected concerns about community, class, identity, crime and disorder. The phenomenon can be seen as a distant cousin of the psychological conception of anti-social personality disorder – although more socially and morally framed, and centred especially on the irresponsibility, disrespect and lack of discipline of the poorest. Tony Blair, first as Shadow Home Secretary and later as Labour leader and Prime Minister, made much of the political running on the issue, describing his 'passion' for tackling ASB as a 'crusade'. Campbell's research also highlighted a sense of 'impunity' associated especially with younger offenders; and, in due course, ASB came to be closely associated with the behaviour of young people, hanging around and misbehaving in urban and residential areas. In response, many of the new ASB interventions aimed to provide quick enforcement solutions, 'fast-tracked' through police and legal 'due process' in a performance culture driven by 'results'.
