What can be done about an anti-social person with mental health problems?
Local authorities have a duty under the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 to assess any person who may be in need of community care services. If there is evidence that suggests a person against whom an ASBO is being sought may be suffering from drug, alcohol or mental health problems, the necessary support should be provided by social services or other support agencies. Such support should run in parallel with the collection of evidence and application for an order, where an application for an order is deemed necessary. Therefore, if there is evidence to suggest that a perpetrator of anti-social behaviour is suffering from learning difficulties, mental health problems or a disability such as attention deficit disorder then a practitioner with specialist knowledge in the relevant fields should be involved in an assessment process to determine the cause of the behaviour and how it can be addressed. The assessment should take account of any known disability as well as uncovering undiagnosed
