Antisocial behaviour is behaviour that offends, causes alarm or distress to another person, a neighbourhood, or a community, but which is not necessarily criminal. It takes many forms: from rowdy drunken conduct, swearing, loitering and noise pollution, to the more serious fare dodging, begging and prostitution. Antisocial behaviour can be witnessed in the cities and countryside of the UK today and according to various surveys, it impinges considerably on the quality of life of people affected by it.

Throughout the centuries, governments have tried to control, contain, or curb antisocial behaviour. In the mid-18th century the Gin Act, 1751, was voted to reduce the binge-drinking vividly portrayed by William Hogarth (1697-1764) in Gin Lane (1750). Begging and poverty were swept away into workhouses during the Victorian era. With the Crime and Disorder Act, 1998 New Labour introduced Antisocial Behaviour Orders – ASBOs. In July 2010, the new Conservative Home Secretary, Theresa May announced their abolition and a return to community policing.

This workshop on antisocial behaviour in the United Kingdom from the 18th century to the 21st century could include cross-sectional or longitudinal papers. The social, economic and political causes and consequences of antisocial behaviour could be encompassed. The evolution of moral values or law and order could be analysed. Antisocial behaviour in various settings could be dealt with, for example, antisocial behaviour in the work environment, among different professions (the police, bankers, politicians, priests, journalists), or during leisure time (sports-related hooliganism, binge-drinking). Papers could deal with representations of antisocial behaviour in the arts (This is England, 2007, Shane Meadows).

Speakers (in order): 

1. Aurélie Baudry, ATER civilisation, Université du Sud-Toulon, Laboratoire BABEL
2. John Mullen, maître de conférences à l’Université de Paris-Est Créteil
3. Emma Bell, maître de conférences, Université de Savoie
4. Sarah Pickard, maître de conférences, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3
5. David Fée, maître de conférences, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3