Minister hails future role of proposed 'respect orders' in tackling anti-social behaviour
The powers in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 do not go far enough to tackle anti-social behaviour, the Crime and Policing Minister has said.
In a speech to the Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Conference today (22 October), Dame Diana Johnson said: “We will crack down on those causing havoc on our high streets by legislating to ensure that anti-social behaviour powers are as effective as possible to tackle repeat offending, in addition to tackling the plague of shoplifting that blights so many areas.
“This is why we will be introducing Respect Orders to tackle the worst ASB offenders and stamp out issues such as public drinking and drug use to ensure that our communities are free from harm and nuisance.”
The minister said respect orders would help ensure that persistent adult offenders of ASB are banned from public areas where they are causing harm to communities.
“It is, of course, for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers depending on the specific circumstances. They are best placed to understand what is driving the behaviour in question, the impact that it is having, and to determine the most appropriate response,” she added.
The Crime and Policing Minister insisted that cracking down on anti-social behaviour is a top priority for the Government, and a key part of its ‘Safer Streets Mission’.
She said: “Too many town centres and high streets across the country have been gripped by an epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting, which is corroding our communities and cannot be allowed to continue.”
Dame Diana claimed the Government would end what she described as an effective immunity, introduced by the previous government, granted to low level shoplifting of goods under £200 to remove the perception that those committing low value shop theft will escape punishment.
It will also introduce a “long overdue” new offence of assaulting a retail worker.
The Crime and Policing Minister revealed that the Government wants to make it easier for the police to “take illegal, dangerous and vehicle-related ASB off the streets for good, and quickly destroy vehicles that they seize from offenders”.
The minister added that a novel technology solution was being developed to safely stop e-scooters and e-bikes and enhance the ability of the police to prevent them from being used to commit criminal acts.
She also said it was important to address the under-reporting of ASB.
“We need to change that,” she said. “No victim of anti-social behaviour should feel that their issues will not be taken seriously or isn’t worth reporting.”
Dame Diana added: “ASB often affects the most vulnerable in our society, and we will work to ensure that the police, local authorities and local agencies, in addition to the tools and powers available to them to tackle ASB, are also aware of the support available to victims of ASB.”
The minister highlighted the Government’s plans for a new Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, “restoring patrols to town centres, recruiting thousands of additional police personnel, and ensuring every community has a named local police officer to turn to”.
She also cited the role of the Young Futures programme, which will consist of the creation of prevention partnerships across England and Wales to map existing youth provision and at-risk individuals. “These partnerships will work to ensure children and young people receive the support they need to stop them being pulled into a life of crime.”
These will be accompanied by a network of Young Future Hubs, “which will bring together local services to deliver additional interventions for young people, including mental health support”.
