Backing for behaviour warnings

The university says many of the problems are fuelled by alcohol

Measures to protect people from anti-social behaviour by drunken students should be introduced in Northern Ireland before the next academic year, a university has urged.

The University of Ulster made the call at the end of a consultation period on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ABSOs) and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs).

ABSOs are designed to prevent disruptive behaviour including theft, intimidation, drunkenness and violence by individuals and families who make life difficult for their communities.

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts are voluntary written agreements between an individual and an agency, such as the council or the police.

The university said ABCs would serve as a warning to disruptive students that offensive behaviour must stop, without the need for the more serious ABSOs.

Effective for a minimum of two years, ABSOs are civil orders rather than criminal penalties and are handled by police and local authorities working in partnership.

Much of the anti-social behaviour caused by students is alcohol fuelled and has resulted in tensions between students and local residents Anne Monaghan University of Ulster

Breaches are punishable by up to five years in prison.

In its submission, the university said it had dealt with more than 600 complaints about the behaviour of its students outside its campus in the last three years.

It said the proposed legislation could be effective in dealing with the anti-social behaviour caused by "a minority of students" across its four campuses.

The university argued that ABCs and ASBOs must be adopted and applied vigorously, working in conjunction with mediation processes to resolve disputes between students and neighbours.

Anne Monaghan, the university's Community Relations Manager, said a mediation organisation should be involved.

"Much of the anti-social behaviour caused by students is alcohol fuelled and has resulted in tensions between students and local residents," she said.

"We welcome the proposals for ASBOs and ABCs and urge that the government initiates and implements legislation for Northern Ireland as soon as possible, preferably before the start of the next academic session."