This study compared the cumulative costs of public services used by individuals with three levels of antisocial behaviour in childhood through adulthood. The study followed 142 individuals from inner London, divided into three groups: no problems, conduct problems, and conduct disorder. By age 28, individuals with conduct disorder had 10 times higher costs than those with no problems and 3.5 times higher than those with conduct problems. The highest costs were for crime, followed by extra educational provision, foster and residential care, and state benefits. Health costs were smaller. Conduct disorder predicted the greatest cost, despite parental social class having a relatively small effect. The study highlights that antisocial behaviour in childhood is a major predictor of societal costs, with large costs falling on many agencies. Prevention is needed to reduce these costs. The study also found that effective interventions for antisocial behaviour in children are available but not routinely used. The findings suggest that early interventions could significantly reduce long-term costs. The study was conducted in a socially deprived area, but antisocial behaviour rates in the UK have since risen to similar levels. The study emphasizes the need for coordinated multi-agency approaches to address antisocial behaviour and reduce associated costs.This study compared the cumulative costs of public services used by individuals with three levels of antisocial behaviour in childhood through adulthood. The study followed 142 individuals from inner London, divided into three groups: no problems, conduct problems, and conduct disorder. By age 28, individuals with conduct disorder had 10 times higher costs than those with no problems and 3.5 times higher than those with conduct problems. The highest costs were for crime, followed by extra educational provision, foster and residential care, and state benefits. Health costs were smaller. Conduct disorder predicted the greatest cost, despite parental social class having a relatively small effect. The study highlights that antisocial behaviour in childhood is a major predictor of societal costs, with large costs falling on many agencies. Prevention is needed to reduce these costs. The study also found that effective interventions for antisocial behaviour in children are available but not routinely used. The findings suggest that early interventions could significantly reduce long-term costs. The study was conducted in a socially deprived area, but antisocial behaviour rates in the UK have since risen to similar levels. The study emphasizes the need for coordinated multi-agency approaches to address antisocial behaviour and reduce associated costs.