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See other news storiesHome Secretary: We're fighting back
8 May 2008
A new 'action squad' will work with police and local agencies in every community to help them take on the problem of anti-social behaviour.
The work will be backed by £255,000 of new funding, and the Home Secretary called on police, anti-social behaviour coordinators and housing officers to use of all the tools at their disposal to stop low-level violence and street thuggery.
Stopping the critical 7%
Police believe that 7% of persistent troublemakers cause most of the problems, and knowing that can help them to stop it.
For example, early intervention makes a big difference, and new figures published today show that across the country local agencies are getting involved earlier.
A National Audit Office report on anti-social behaviour (December 2006) found that early intervention was a key factor in deterring people from further crime:
- 65% of people stopped their anti-social behaviour after the first intervention
- 85% of people stopped after the second intervention
- 93% of people stopped after the third
Also, a study published today by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) showed that the use anti-social behaviour tools has increased to 26,675 per year - an increase of 258% since the survey began in 2003, when the figure stood at 7,444.
Over the same period, the number of ASBOs issued fell from 4,123 in 2005 to 2,706 in 2006, indicating the wider use of other early intervention measures.
Key measures
Key measures outlined by the Home Secretary include:
- local authorities and statutory agencies sharing information and working together to expose the criminal behaviour of persistent offenders
- a joint review by the Home Office and the Department for Transport to ask passengers and staff on public transportation about the issue
- courts will be required to consider parenting orders when giving anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) to 10-17 year olds
New bill will tighten the rules
In addition, the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill extends crack house closure order powers to cover more serious types of anti-social behaviour.
It will also include a statutory requirement to review ASBOs on all under 18 year-olds after one year to ensure the ASBO is working and to pave the way for other interventions if necessary.
Nobody should have to accept neighbourhood thugs
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith believes nobody should have to endure anti-social behaviour.
'We have put in place the teams, the powers and the know-how so that every community benefits from effective action that works.
'The government is firmly on the side of communities where people have had enough and there will be no escape for persistent offenders.
'If you can’t behave properly it won’t just be the police watching you, but local councils, housing benefit officers, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and the TV Licensing authority.'
