Anti-social behaviour blights our communities. It results in making areas look unsightly, dissuades people from spending time in their own neighbourhoods, erodes a sense of community, and can also make residents feel intimidated or afraid.
As such, I was pleased that earlier this week the Prime Minister announced an action plan to tackle anti-social behaviour, which will include cracking down on offenders with swifter and more visible justice and the imposition of tougher punishments. The plans will make sure that the issue of anti-social behaviour is treated with the urgency it deserves and will result in establishing a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of anti-social behaviour, along with giving the police and local authorities the tools they need to tackle the problem effectively.
Under the new Immediate Justice scheme, those found committing acts of anti-social behaviour will be made to repair the damage they inflicted on victims and communities, with an ambition for them to start work as soon as 48 hours after their offence. Communities will see first-hand that anti-social behaviour is treated seriously and with urgency. Offenders will be made to wear high-vis vests or jumpsuits to pick up litter, remove graffiti and wash police cars as punishment. As a further deterrent to those who graffiti, litter or fly tip, fines will be increased up to £500 and £1,000.
When it comes to justice, it is important that victims have a say in how it is imposed. Under these new plans, victims of anti-social behaviour from the local community will be given a say in offenders’ punishments, ensuring that justice is visible and fits the crime.
I am also sure that local residents have, like me, seen the many discarded, silver mini-cannisters of nitrous oxide (known as laughing gas) lying on the sides of roads and elsewhere. These are unsightly and take up local resources to remove. I am therefore very pleased to hear that under the new plans, nitrous oxide will be banned, and hope that this will stop people using the gas inappropriately.
In addition to this, police will be given powers to crack down on illegal drug use, which is often a catalyst for further crime. This will include expanding powers for drug testing on arrest so more suspected criminals can be tested, and more drugs tested for. Currently, only suspected criminals who have committed certain offences can be tested in police detention without additional requirements, but powers will be expanded, and the range of trigger offences will include crimes linked to violence against women and girls, serious violence and anti-social behaviour.
The vast majority of us take pride in our local communities and decry the mindless vandalism, littering and graffiti of those who don’t. We should also be free to enjoy our communities in safety, not feeling afraid or intimidated. I am therefore very pleased that the Prime Minister is implementing a plan that sends a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and will be punished.
Finally, I have joined forces with the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS) for an Easter Egg Appeal. We are asking people to donate Easter Eggs which can then be distributed to families supported by SDASS and brighten up their Easter. We are accepting donations until Monday, so if you are out buying Easter Eggs over the weekend, please consider picking up an extra one to donate to the appeal.
