The original ambition for this collection of articles about the anti-social behaviour phenomenon in the UK had been to capture, in a single volume, a wide range of positions that one might take up in respect of the ‘anti-social behaviour question’. The discussions were to address the first emergence of the issue, the differing interpretations of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and contrasting reactions to it. Further chapters were to explore the attempts to address it by both policy makers and professional practitioners. A selection of the emerging research evidence about ASB and the impact of research findings on policy making was also to be included. In this, then, the book aimed to embrace a broad debate about the contemporary significance of anti-social behaviour and what could, or should, be done about it. Accordingly, contributions were solicited from a wide variety of authors representing a range of agencies, interests and perspectives surrounding the ASB issue. Significant evidence of the rapid explosion of interest in the ASB issue might be derived from the rapidly growing literature emerging in all of the above areas even as this project itself was under way. Moreover, this field was not just growing in a quantitative fashion, new issues and perspectives were arising. Just as the government was developing and enhancing its array of ASB policies, interventions and legal powers, the debate about ASB – what it was possible to say about ASB – was also changing in a number of important ways.

At opposite ends of the spectrum of opinion on ASB were, on the one hand, those who might be considered ASBO ‘enthusiasts’ (Field, 2003), ‘ambassadors’ (as described in Squires, 2006) or other ‘Blairite crusaders’. This group are generally convinced that anti-social behaviour is a major social problem and that the ASBO is a vital utilitarian response to be deployed, unapologetically, as and when necessary, to tackle trouble makers and to demonstrate to communities that their concerns were now being taken seriously. As a number of commentators have noted, perceptions are important in managing anti-social behaviour. On the other hand, at the other end of the spectrum, were those who, either reflecting a legal interest or training (Ashworth et al, 1998; Chakrabarti, 2006; Simester and von Hirsch, 2006; see also ASBOconcern.org.uk)