Anti-social behaviour is a blight on society. It is the harbinger of serious crime and causes distress to law abiding residents. There is considerable evidence that reducing what appears to be low level criminality reduces all forms of crime.
Therefore, tackling anti-social behaviour is a priority for the Government. Everyone has the right to live without fear of anti-social behaviour and to leave their home without encountering intimidation. The public must trust that there will be action taken when they report this type of behaviour or any harassment that they face.
The publication of the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan thus reinforces the Government’s commitment to target anti-social behaviour and restore the right of people to feel safe in their local area. This is an ambitious and wide-reaching new approach that will give Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities and other agencies the tools to tackle anti-social behaviour.
The plan sets out a radical new approach split across five key areas: stronger punishment for perpetrators, which includes cracking down on illegal drugs, evicting anti-social tenants and making perpetrators of anti-social behaviour repair the damage they inflicted on victims and communities; making communities safer by increasing police presence; enhancing local pride by taking actions to revive high streets and revitalise parks and green spaces; prevention and intervention through funding one million more hours of provision for young people; focusing on targeted support for children most at risk and working with delivery partners on National Youth Guarantee and lastly, improving data, reporting and accountability by simplifying and improving existing reporting structures.
Tackling anti-social behaviour requires a strong and effective partnership response from all agencies working together across the board and I am confident that the measures outlined by the Government offer elevated support to deal with every incident of anti-social behaviour that may arise.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance: [email protected].
