What is an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC)?

An Acceptable Behaviour Contract (also known as Acceptable Behaviour Agreement) is an intervention designed to engage an individual in acknowledging his or her anti-social behaviour and its effect on others, with the aim of stopping that behaviour.

An Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) is a written agreement made between a person who has been involved in anti-social behaviour and their local authority, Youth Inclusion Support Panel (YISP), landlord or the police. ABCs are not set out in law, which is why they are usually called Agreements. Any agency is able to use and adapt the model.

Although ABCs have often been made with young people, they are a tool that can be used for a person of any age. The informal, flexible nature of the contract means they can be used for various types of anti-social behaviour.

The contract normally lasts for six months. it is not legally binding but, if breached, can be used as evidence if enforcement action or further interventions are needed.

Why an ABC?

ABC's are designed to ensure that people who behave anti-socially take responsibility for their actions and improve their behaviour. They are made aware of their impact on other peoples' lives and warned of the possible consequences to them and their family, should their anti social behaviour continue. The most important objective of an ABC is too stop the anti-social behaviour.

What an ABC could include

ABC conditions are agreed in the meeting and are based on the anti-social behaviour that the person has presented. For example, they may agree not to:

• Will Not play loud music
• Will Not shout and scream
• Will Not permit or encourage my friends to cause nuisance outside my home.
• Will Not drink alcohol, be drunk or be under the influence of illcit substances outside my home.
• Will Not threaten or verbally abuse residents.

What happens after the ABC has been signed?

The local authority and the police monitor the contract. The person is expected to abide by the conditions and successfully complete their contract.

What happens if the ABC is breached?

Serious breaches of the ABC may lead to enforcement action. This may include applying to the court for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

If there are minor breaches, a meeting will normally be held with the person to reiterate the terms of their contract and decide whether any further action needs to be taken.

All breaches should be reported to Community Safety at Worthing Borough Council. Contact details can be found on the Community Safety website pages.

Forms of Anti-Social Behaviour

Anti-Social Behaviour that can be tackled by ABC's can include:

• Verbal Abuse
• Criminal Damage
• Graffiti
• Vandalism
• Racial Abuse
• Vehicle Crime
• Assault
• Drinking Alcohol
• Substance Misuse
• Joyriding
• Engaging in threatening behaviour in large groups
• Harassment of residents or passers-by
• Noise Nuisance
• Throwing missiles
• Criminal Acts i.e. theft, burglary

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