Youth campaign challenges anti-social behaviour with new approach across Scotland

29th June 2023

Coinciding with the beginning of the school holidays, Fearless - the youth service of charity Crimestoppers - has today launched a new campaign to encourage young people to be safe and make positive choices this summer.

In a bold move, the charity has chosen to lead with a ‘pro-social' behaviour stance rather than traditional anti-social behaviour messaging. Artwork features young people explaining what pro-social behaviour means to them.

"Pro-social behaviour shows the people around you respect and lets everyone enjoy the summer side by side." - Ruby, 13yrs

"Pro-social behaviour is leading by example and telling your pals if they go too far." - Kingsley, 16yrs.

"Pro-social behaviour is behaving in a way that makes wee kids look up to you, not be scared of you." - Ross, 15yrs

The campaign also seeks to challenge the myths and negative stereotyping around anti-social behaviour. According to research carried out by Scottish Community Safety Network in 2020, adults are more likely to be found to be committing anti-social behaviour than young people.

The digital campaign will run across Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok and leaflets will be distributed at various music festivals and events across this summer, supported by Police Scotland Youth Volunteers.

The campaign will also include a podcast recorded with young people from Dundee.

One young person said: "As soon as one bad thing happens, it puts a negative aspect on everyone else but it's not actually everyone - it's just a small minority."

Another young person said: “I think most young people genuinely care. It could be anything small from helping a teacher with something to something big like volunteering. Most of the people that I know are going out volunteering, helping at local charities and stuff like that but it's that small minority of people that are ruining it for everyone. I just feel like adults are only seeing the negative news of what’s happening and not really seeing the good.”

Another said to young people: “People are going to assume you’ve got the worst intentions, don’t give them any more reasons to believe so. I think for people our age - be more considerate of the community and who is maybe going to be affected by what you’re doing.

Despite an overall decrease of 56% in anti-social offences reported in Scotland since 2012-13*, anti-social behaviour still significantly affects communities and can lead to serious harm and distress.

Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects Coordinator at the charity Crimestoppers, said, "The vast majority of young people don't commit anti-social behaviour yet they’re frequently considered the problem, so it was really important to us to get our messaging right.

“Making judgements based on the actions of a very small minority just leaves young people feeling excluded from their community - like they're not part of it - and if they're not part of it, then it becomes harder to help them to engage in a positive, productive way.

"So this campaign isn't the typical ASB finger wagging don't do this or that, you've perhaps seen before, it's explaining the impact of anti-social behaviour - including on young people themselves - and considering the tangible steps that they can take to demonstrate pro-social behaviour.

"This summer we're really clear in our messaging to young people: Be safe and look out for your mates. Be kind in your actions and respect the people around you and remember, if you know or suspect who is responsible for the most serious types of anti-social behaviour like deliberate fire raising or violence, make your community safer by speaking up 100% anonymously to our charity at Fearless.org"

Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown said, "
“The Scottish Government recognises that everyone has the right to be, and feel, safe in their community. That is why we are committed to preventing and tackling all forms of antisocial behaviour to enable our communities to flourish.

“Prevention and early intervention measures, such as this awareness campaign from Fearless, highlight that the vast majority of young people are not involved in antisocial behaviour and simply want to get on with their lives.

“Fearless allows young people to speak up 100% anonymously to help prevent and solve crime and this campaign will help to shine a light on the vital work that they play in keeping Scotland safe – with recorded crimes reaching one of their lowest levels since 1974.”