A recent debate at Bath and North East Somerset Council has highlighted deep divisions over how best to address youth anti-social behaviour. The council’s proposed youth justice plan, which adopts a “child first” approach focusing on prevention and rehabilitation, faced criticism from some councillors who questioned its effectiveness in curbing disruptive “feral” youths.
During the July 17 meeting, the council voted on this new strategy aimed at reducing offending and reoffending by prioritising children’s welfare alongside victims’ rights. Labour councillor Lesley Mansell emphasised the plan’s focus on prevention, stating, “This is not about being soft on crime, it is about being smart on prevention.”
However, Independent Group councillor Alan Hale expressed scepticism about the plan’s impact on victims of anti-social behaviour. He urged the council to concentrate on supporting those affected rather than primarily focusing on young offenders. Hale argued, “When members of the public are harassed and harangued by young people who are somewhat feral, I don’t believe this will achieve a great deal.”
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This comment was met with strong condemnation from Liberal Democrat councillors. Manda Rigby labelled Hale’s language as a “disgrace,” expressing concern over the damaging stigma such terms impose on young people. “Referring to youths as ‘feral’ undermines the preventative work we are trying to achieve and harms young people’s life chances,” she said.
In contrast, Tim Ball, also a Liberal Democrat, stressed the importance of early intervention. “If we keep youths out of crime until they are 18 or 19, they generally do not get caught up in offending,” he noted, reinforcing the council’s rehabilitative approach.
The youth justice plan promotes alternatives to court sentencing and embraces restorative justice, while also working with the violence reduction partnership to curb serious crimes, including knife-related violence.
Conservative councillor Tim Warren called for understanding and context, suggesting that the challenges posed by these groups of young people reflect broader societal issues rather than blame on the youths alone. “It’s probably not the kids’ fault but the way they’re brought up,” he said.
Despite his reservations, Alan Hale voted in favour of the plan, which was approved unanimously by the council’s six political groups—a rare consensus according to council chair Liz Hardman.
The discussion coincides with troubling reports from Peasedown St John, where police are investigating a group of boys around 14 years old implicated in acts of anti-social behaviour. Incidents include damage to trees and bus shelters, trespassing, knocking on doors late at night, and disturbing local wildlife such as birds and hedgehogs. The police are urging residents to report any relevant information to assist ongoing investigations.