Rowdy youths to be ‘relentlessly filmed’ by police
Rowdy groups of young people are to be openly filmed by police and followed around their neighbourhood under new plans announced in a speech today by the home secretary, Jacqui Smith.
The proposals are designed to turn the tables on the Conservatives, who have been accusing Labour of going soft on its ‘respect agenda’ by closing down its respect unit and emphasising youth clubs.
Ms Smith said: “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.”
The proposals, which come with £255,000 of new funding, will insist on police and local agencies using all the tools and powers available to them to tackle the seven per cent of persistent troublemakers who cause the most problems.
Home Office figures released today showed a decrease in the number of Asbos issued, but also revealed an increase in breaches of the orders from 47 per cent in 2000-2005 to 49 per cent in 2006.
The use of early intervention strategies is on the increase, however. Official figures show a massive 258 per cent increase in the use of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Parenting Orders and Individual Support Orders.
In a further move, the criminal justice and immigration bill, which is expected to receive royal assent today, introduces annual statutory reviews of serious Asbos on all those under 18 to pave the way for other interventions if necessary.
Courts will also be required to consider making parenting orders when giving an Asbo to those aged between ten and 17.
“There is no let-up in tackling antisocial behaviour,” Ms Smith said.
“We know that getting in early to stop troublemakers works, but I want stronger action to deal with persistent offenders.
“I want police and local agencies to focus on them by giving them a taste of their own medicine: daily visits, repeated warnings and relentless filming of offenders to create an environment where there is nowhere to hide.”
A joint review by the Home Office and the Department for Transport was also announced to find out the views of passengers, staff and operators on how to tackle anti-social behaviour on public transport. It follows Boris Johnson’s successful bid for London mayor, where the issue was used as one of the cornerstones of his campaign.
Yesterday, Mr Johnson announced that drinking on buses or the tube would be outlawed on June 1st.
Children’s groups reacted angrily to the news.
Martin Narey, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “It is important that government panic over their polling unpopularity does not usher a return to Asbo mania.
“Some children need and should get Asbos, but each is a sign of failure and without constructive work with the child and the family they are doomed to fail.”
Emily Beardsmore, chair of the British Youth Council, said the government needed to adopt a more rounded approach to problem of anti-social behaviour.
“The government needs to take a more holistic approach to why some young individuals keep re-offending to provide a fuller solution to anti-social behaviour,” she said.
“Young people should be viewed as part of the solution, and not just the problem.”
