Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 15 May 2024.
Willie Coffey
Scottish National Party
To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling antisocial behaviour. (S6O-03429)
Siobhian Brown
Scottish National Party
Police Scotland and local authorities have a wide range of powers to tackle antisocial behaviour. We support them in using those powers appropriately and we are investing in prevention and early Intervention. Our cashback for communities programme and violence prevention framework take preventative approaches to antisocial behaviour and violence. The current three-year phase of cashback for communities commits £20 million to early intervention work and positive opportunities for young people in communities across Scotland. Our independent expert working group on antisocial behaviour is examining our strategic approach to antisocial behaviour and is considering how we can improve it. The group will report in late 2024.
Willie Coffey
Scottish National Party
As the Minister knows, antisocial behaviour is a cause for concern in many constituencies. It is a particular concern around our bus stations, where the travelling public and transport staff are often affected by such behaviour. Can any further progress be made to address that? For example, could bus passes be removed from persistent offenders, if that is shown to be a cause, or could dispersal orders—which, I understand, are being used elsewhere in Scotland—be deployed to ensure that our bus stations are safe and welcoming for everyone?
Siobhian Brown
Scottish National Party
I thank the member for raising the issue. He will be aware that the vast Majority of young people who travel by bus behave appropriately. The legislation that underpins the current schemes does not provide a clear mechanism for cards simply to be removed in cases of antisocial behaviour, and free bus travel is just one of several services that are provided through the card.
Transport Scotland is continuing to explore what deterrents and sanctions may be possible and appropriate in such cases. The member should note that the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 already provides a wide range of measures for dealing with all antisocial behaviour, including dispersal orders, which can be considered by the police, in consultation with the local authority, on an individual or temporary basis.
Craig Hoy
Conservative
One of the unintended consequences of free bus travel for under-22s is the rise in antisocial behaviour, which Mr Coffey identified. Communities from Dumfries to Dunbar have reported groups of youths who abuse the scheme to travel to towns away from their own to engage in vandalism and other ASB activities, often causing extreme distress to drivers and passengers along the route. A resident in Pencaitland recently raised that issue with me and reported that it is
“not just rowdy, but dangerous and threatening behaviour that ranges from arson to vandalism to verbal and physical assaults.”
Given that the next review of free bus travel will not take place until 2025, will the Minister now agree to meet fellow ministers, particularly transport ministers, police, bus companies, trade unions and those communities affected, to address that unacceptable abuse of the scheme pragmatically but urgently?
Siobhian Brown
Scottish National Party
I make Mr Hoy aware that there has been on-going engagement with Police Scotland and bus companies in recent months involving both the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and me. As I said, Transport Scotland is looking at what to do with the card but not, at the moment, at such a clear mechanism as just taking the card away. We will continue to engage.
Annabelle Ewing
Scottish National Party
Question 3 is from James Dornan, who is joining us remotely.
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