Government announces crackdown on anti-social behaviour

The government has announced a new crackdown on anti-social behaviour, with those deemed perpetrators of anti-social behaviour to face increased fines and enhanced drug testing.

16 areas in England and Wales will receive funding either for new ‘hotspot’ police and enforcement patrols in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour, or to trial a new ‘Immediate Justice’ scheme to deliver "swift and visible punishments".

The hotspot areas will see an increase in police presence and other uniformed authority figures, such as wardens. It is intended for the increase to deter anti-social behaviour, step up enforcement action against offenders, make sure crimes are punished more quickly and drive deterrence efforts, helping to stop anti-social behaviour spiralling into more serious criminality.

With the new Immediate Justice scheme, those found committing 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. They will be made to wear high-vis vests or jumpsuits and work under supervision and will pick up litter, remove graffiti and wash police cars as punishment for their actions. Also victims will be given a say in the punishments handed out "to ensure justice is visible and fits the crime".

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "Anti-social behaviour undermines the basic right of people to feel safe in the place they call home.

"The public have rightly had enough – which is why I am determined to restore people’s confidence that those responsible will be quickly and visibly punished.

"This action plan maps out how we will tackle this issue with the urgency it deserves and stamp out these crimes once and for all – so that wherever you live, you can feel safe in, and proud of your community."

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, will also be banned with the intention to "send a clear message to intimidating gangs, that hang around high streets and children’s parks and litter them with empty canisters, they will not get away with this behaviour".

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said: "Anti-social behaviour erodes local pride, blights our high streets and parks and is a stain on too many communities across the country.

"We know that it is more likely to flourish in areas that have, for too long, been overlooked and undervalued.

"This government was elected on a mandate to deliver change for those communities, and that is why the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan is critical. So we will intervene directly to prevent high street dereliction. We will deliver tougher, quicker and more visible justice to prevent thuggish behaviour in town centres and we will ensure young people have the opportunities and activities available to them to succeed - all backed by new investment."

Other measures include increasing the punishment for those who graffiti, litter or fly tip with fines of up to £500 and £1,000. Council league tables will also be published for fly tipping.

Landlords and housing associations will also be given more powers to evict "unruly" tenants.

Parks and green spaces will be given around £5 million to make them safer with new CCTV, and repairs to equipment and playgrounds.

Councils will be given new powers to take control and sell off empty buildings.

There will also be one million extra hours of youth services in areas with the highest  rates of anti-social behaviour.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "The British public are fed up with crime and nuisance behaviour in their neighbourhoods inflicting misery on people.

"There is no such thing as petty crime – not only does anti-social behaviour leave people feeling unsafe, it can also be a gateway into serious criminality.

"It has always been my priority to give police the powers they need to deliver a common-sense approach to cutting crime, which puts the law-abiding majority first, and that’s what this action plan delivers."

Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay