Councillors question scope of Anti-Social Behaviour Review
Councillors have raised concerns about the scope of a review into complex needs and street-based anti-social behaviour, questioning its limitations and the definition of the target group.
The Health, Adult Social Care and Community Safety Scrutiny Commission met on Wednesday 21 October 2026 to discuss the scope of a review into complex needs and street-based anti-social behaviour. The review's focus on 'street-based' anti-social behaviour is described as pertaining to a cohort of people who are vulnerable but also kind of causing problems in that sort of way.
This cohort is further elaborated as individuals who are vulnerable in secure housing or outright rough sleeping, might have mental health problems, drug dependency, and then all sorts of other things.
The review also notes that this group is not necessarily people who aren't housed, but those who will spend a lot of their time on the street.
Councillor Sam Dalton questioned why the review was limited to street-based
issues, suggesting that the impact of anti-social behaviour on residents in estates and housing association properties should also be considered. Councillor Natasha Ennin supported this point, highlighting that housing association properties are often overlooked by the council. If the review's scope is not expanded to include these properties, there is a risk that the impact of anti-social behaviour on residents within them will be overlooked.
The review discusses a cohort of people who are vulnerable but also kind of causing problems in that sort of way,
describing them as having issues with mental health and mental health dependency and so on.
While acknowledging that this is not the entirety of the issue, it is identified as the largest social member in London.
The review is currently scheduled for the 13th of November but is likely to be moved back slightly. Councillor Dalton agreed that the issue is complex and that the scope may need to be adjusted as the work progresses. The commission agreed to the work programme for the review, with the understanding that it is iterative and can accommodate emergency issues or additions as they arise. Mechanisms are in place to ensure these additions are incorporated due to the iterative nature of the programme. The full public reports pack from the meeting can be found here.