By Richard Staines
13 July 2010
Public sector workers, volunteers and citizens should receive conflict resolution training to tackle low-level antisocial behaviour, according to a think-tank.
In a report published today, the Royal Society of Arts argues that while public concern remains high, citizens lack the confidence to intervene and tackle antisocial behaviour. It suggests replicating ‘the Woolwich model’ – in which first aid training spread across the globe after courses were first established in the southeast London town in 1878.
The Woolwich model – how citizens can tackle antisocial behaviour says that police-centred approaches have only limited success.
But training public servants such as public transport workers, park keepers, street cleaners, parking enforcement officers, social workers and teachers in conflict resolution would reduce antisocial behaviour.
Potentially influential community figures such as shopkeepers, publicans and postal workers could also make a difference, says the document.
Training should include self-protection and restraint and how to appraise when to walk on by, intervene, or call the police.
Conflict resolution training would include how to defuse an argument, forge an agreement and where appropriate, elicit an apology.
Report author Ben Rogers said: ‘We argue that community training will build up a culture of intervention beyond the police and equip citizens and public servants more generally.
‘If we’re to tackle antisocial behaviour then communities need to be given the confidence that they can solve their own problems without always resorting to state-led interventions.’
