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See other news stories40 areas chosen to lead Respect
22 January 2007
The government singles out communities that are tackling anti-social behaviour and petty crime.
On the anniversary of the launch of the Government's Respect Action Plan, the first so-called 'Respect areas' were announced. These 40 communities (new window) have all shown determination and innovation in fighting anti-social behaviour.
All 40 Respect areas have agreed to:
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use family intervention projects to tackle 'neighbours from hell'
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offer parenting classes to parents struggling with difficult children
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hold 'face the people' sessions, where police and local authorities talk directly to local residents
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keep up relentless action to tackle anti-social behaviour
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use the Respect housing standard to prevent and deal with social housing problems
More investment to help the work continue
The Department for Education and Skills is backing the battle to keep neighbourhoods safe by investing an additional £6m over the next year for parenting classes in these 40 Respect areas.
That funding will help with the effort already well underway to aggressively confront anti-social behaviour by giving more powers to local councils and police. These powers are being used more and more to get results in neighbourhoods trying to stop small-time thugs and overly aggressive residents from intimidating and frightening their neighbours.
There has been a 90% increase in the number of acceptable behaviour contracts issued in recent years - more than 180,000 contracts have been issued in the last three years, along with 4,000 parenting contracts.
Communities hold the key
Prime Minister Tony Blair said that he believes the key to tackling anti-social behaviour lies in communities. 'Central government can provide the powers and the resources, but it is the police, local authorities and local people who have to use them effectively to deliver results,' he said.
He added, 'Communities know where their real problems are, and they now know how best to use these new powers to tackle them.'
Home Secretary John Reid agreed, saying, 'A great deal of action is being taken across the country to tackle the scourge of anti-social behaviour and I am delighted that these 40 local authorities have committed to driving forward the Respect programme.'
The battle against anti-social activity that frightens and intimidates law-abiding citizens is far from over, Dr Reid said, but it will be won if local authorities and police continue to join with the government to take action to create stronger, safer communities.
