Case study - Community Conferencing

Community tension between young people and residents in a suburban London Borough had built up over a period of about 18 months. The group of young people (called 'The Bridge Crew') grew in number, as did their anti-social behaviour; littering, swearing, revving cars and racing mopeds up and down the roads. Residents, feeing intimidated and distressed, gradually stopped attending the nearby Community Centre and numerous interventions by police failed to improve the young people's behaviour.

The situation worsened and finally a Dispersal Order was put in place by police (meaning the young people could not gather in groups of more than two on the estate). The Bridge Crew felt they were being unfairly targeted for simply meeting together. The situation was not improving as both The Bridge Crew and the residents anticipated the situation returning to its previous condition once the Dispersal Order ran out. The police and council suggested mediation and approached Peaceworks to help.

After meeting with each group separately, the Peaceworks mediators brought both groups together in a joint mediation meeting or 'community conference'. The lead mediator set the ground rules then encouraged both groups to explain their point of view. After expressing why they wanted to continue to meet there, The Bridge Crew recognized they had been too noisy and disruptive, and said they genuinely wished to be accepted by the residents and to play a positive part in building a strong sense of community on the estate. The residents expressed their concerns and fears, and also a desire to understand and work with The Bridge Crew.

Both groups relaxed and began to engage with each other. With the help of Peaceworks mediators they identified the key issues that needed to be resolved, and then came up with ideas which were worked into a formal written agreement and signed by both groups in a formal event at the community centre.

The successful mediation and subsequent agreement was celebrated with a meeting to which all residents and young people of the estate were invited. In the year following Peaceworks' intervention there has been a marked reduction in complaints and the estate is cleaner and quieter. The Bridge Crew and the residents have a greater awareness of each other's concerns, and an increased confidence and desire to build friendships and work together on community projects.