James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Anti-Social Behaviour Forum is examining a broad range of issues, with a focus on developing measures which will address the factors that give rise to anti-social behaviour and its impact on community morale and quality of life. The causes of anti-social behaviour are multifaceted, including addiction, unemployment, social and economic issues.

Members of the Forum are drawn from a number of State agencies, including An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and key Government Departments, as well as a broad representation of community, business, academic and other experts. The Forum met most recently on 24 October 2023.

Three subgroups of the Forum have been established to consider the specific issues of knife crime, the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes, and responses to Anti-Social Behaviour impacts on housing complexes managed by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). Similar sub-groups can be established to examine other issues as required.

Knife crime is a broad term, which has no official classification in crime statistics compiled by An Garda Síochána and published by the Central Statistics Office. This is because knives may be used in the commission of many different types of offence, ranging from threats and intimidation, robbery and theft to serious assaults and murder.

There are many complex, interlinked and variable causes for the use of knives in the commission of offences. As a result, there are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street violence, youth offending and domestic violence.

The subgroup is assessing available evidence to inform policy on knife crime and are currently considering options including increasing public awareness and the creation of stronger sentences for those convicted of knife crime in Ireland.

In March, officials in my Department met with Gardaí and also with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) . Following on from those meetings, An Garda Síochána undertook to examine what other jurisdictions are doing to combat knife crime post-Covid. The ODPP has looked at the issue in terms of the number of prosecutions brought for certain knife-related offences and further consideration is underway at present of the information received.

The ASB forum sub-group on knife crime is scheduled to meet next on 18th December.