A longitudinal study of views of alleged perpetrators of antisocial behaviour on its definition and the success or otherwise of related interventions

Research Questions
- How do those who are seen as antisocial define and perceive antisocial behaviour, in relation to themselves and others?
- How do antisocial behaviour interventions affect those they are used against?
- What interventions, if any, do those engaged in antisocial behaviour see as effective?
- How do these perceptions change over the course of the antisocial behaviour process?
Antisocial behaviour is an increasingly important topic in the UK (Millie, 2009; Parr, 2010). Antisocial behaviour has wide ranging, varied definitions (Dwyer, 2004; Mackenzie et. al, 2010; Millie, 2009). Some define it as a range of problematic behaviour, ranging from noise, animal or children nuisance to more serious behaviours such as harassment and abuse (Chesire and Bulgar, 2016) and some argue it can be recognised simply by feelings of unease (Mackenzie et. al, 2010). This lack of clear definition is important as any behaviour could be argued to cause some form of irritation or unease (Bagguley and Mann, 1992; Mackenzie et al, 2010; Millie, 2009). Politicians and ministers have described antisocial behaviour as whatever communities themselves believe it to be, although this can lead to a situation where those who speak the loudest can define what is acceptable in their community (Brown, 2013; Flint and Nixon, 2006). There is currently no research investigating perpetrators' views of antisocial behaviour in their community.