THERE is no place for vandalism, noisy neighbours and other anti-social behaviour in Scotland's communities, Social Justice Minister Margaret Curran said earlier this year. She outlined a range of measures designed to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

• New neighbourhood compacts between community planning partnerships and local residents. These will set out the standards of services that local authorities and other public bodies will deliver to curb anti-social behaviour, as well set out standards of behaviour expected from residents.
• Funding for community wardens schemes in every local authority area.
• £10 million across Scotland for grass-root initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour - these could include emergency hot lines and quick response teams. The money will be available once a neighbourhood compact has been agreed.

Ms Curran said: “No child should be brought up in a neighbourhood where the streets and play areas are scarred by litter, graffiti and neglect.
“No family should live in neighbourhoods where vandals and hooligans roam unchecked, and no Scot should spend his or her retirement in a neighbourhood where petty crime and the fear of crime are commonplace. That is why we are committed to securing safe communities through neighbourhood compacts.
“The shape of these compacts will vary depending on the needs of individual neighbourhoods, but the common thread will be one of order, security and maintenance. Everyone has the right to live in a safe, strong attractive community, but with that right comes responsibilities.”

The original £30 million funding was announced in the 2003-06 Scottish Budget.
The proposed distribution of the funding includes £230,000 for the Highlands. Funding will be available to prepare the contracts as well as to support specific measures to tackle anti-social behaviour. All 32 Scottish local authority areas will be offered funding, with banded allocations based on deprivation, population, population density and crime levels. The timetable for implementing this proposal is as follows:

Consultation period ended May, 2003; Scottish Executive guidance issued, June 2003; Outline proposals to Executive and comments offered back, August/September 2003; Full proposals submitted to Executive, November 2003; approval by Scottish Ministers end January 2004. Initiatives commence operation, April 2004.