Once again, the subject of antisocial behaviour finds its way into the Newton News and, as usual, the lack of a police presence and the failure to provide positive things for the usual suspects to do are cited as the underlying cause of such behaviour. This tried and tested response to the problem has some merit but it fails to grasp the wider social aspects of the problem.
Antisocial behaviour isn’t new or a product of modern society; it has always been with us. I grew up in the 60’s and did more than my fair share of annoying and destructive antisocial behaviour, it’s not something I’m proud of, but neither do I try to blame anyone or anything for my behaviour. As for the good old days, they are often better in memories than in reality and not everyone experienced those good old days in the same way, or would want to go back to them.
Would an increased police presence be beneficial absolutely, but a cursory look at the judicial system shows the police are often let down by the system themselves, as the bad boys either go unpunished or receive nothing more than a slap on the wrist and told not to do it again which, of course, they most certainly do. Old style policing is a thing of the past and it’s unlikely we will see the likes of it again, unless there is a drastic rethink at government level and a major shift in policing priorities at senior level.
As for things for young people to do. It’s a fallacy, proven time and time again, that just putting things on will automatically attract the people you want, it doesn’t work that way. Engaging with those who commit antisocial activities requires far more than the desire to get them off the streets, it requires a serious investment of time, energy and education. A community based problem requires a community based solution and the heart and soul of any community is the family unit and this is where the search for a solution has to begin.
Antisocial behaviour isn’t new and workable solutions are far from simplistic and complex issues don’t always respond well to simple solutions. If failure is responsible then it must be a collective one, and the answer, if it can be found, must be in a collective responsibility.
Cllr Phillip Hawkins