Anti-Social Behaviour in Britain ― Victorian and Contemporary Perspectives

Anti-social behaviour is a key issue in the social and political life of Britain in the twenty-first century, as were respectability and immorality in the Victorian era. Written by expert sociologists, historians, criminologists and political scientists, this interdisciplinary collection examines anti-social behaviour from a range of historical and contemporary perspectives.

The volume compares two essential themes, firstly the forms of anti-social behaviour and secondly the methods employed by governments to repress and control anti-social behaviour. Compelling parallels emerge through the interrelated chapters, which are divided into three main areas: the urban environment and public spaces, the vulnerable and the marginalised and recreation and leisure.

This comprehensive collection is the first to examine anti-social behaviour from such an inclusive and wide-ranging position. It establishes clear parallels between the two periods regarding types of ASB and how they have been dealt with by successive governments, arguing that anti-social behaviour and political responses to it are by no means new phenomena.

Sarah Pickard is a Senior Lecturer in British Politics and Society at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University, France. Her main research interests are in contemporary Youth Studies focusing on the interaction between the elaboration and reception of youth policy.