- Under new plans announced by the Government, perpetrators of anti-social behaviour will face swift and visible justice through a new Hotspot Policing programme in Staffordshire.
- Dangerous Nitrous Oxide will be banned under the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan and the Police will be equipped with more powers to test criminal offenders for a range of drugs on arrest.
- The Government is giving police and local councils new tools to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour, levelling up and restoring pride in local communities.
Member of Parliament for Burton and Uttoxeter, Kate Kniveton, has welcomed the announcement that the Government is launching a new Hotspot Policing programme in Staffordshire, as part of the new Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan to make sure perpetrators face swift and visible justice.
16 areas in England and Wales, including Staffordshire, will be funded to support either new ‘hotspot’ police and enforcement patrols in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour, or trial a new ‘Immediate Justice’ scheme to deliver swift and visible punishments. Both schemes will be rolled out across England and Wales from 2024.
Offenders 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.
Under the new Action Plan, offenders will be made to wear high-vis vests or jumpsuits to pick up litter, remove graffiti and wash police cars as punishment. Victims of anti-social behaviour from the local community will be given a say in offenders’ punishments to ensure justice is visible and fits the crime.
Stronger punishments will also be handed out to those who graffiti, litter or fly tip, with increased fines of up to £500 and £1,000.
The Government announced that Nitrous oxide or ‘laughing gas’ will be banned to send a clear message to gangs that hang around high streets and children’s parks and litter them with empty canisters that they will not get away with this behaviour.
Police will also be given new powers to crack down on illegal drug use with expanded powers for drug testing on arrest, so more suspected criminals can be tested.
Commenting, Kate Kniveton MP said:
“Communities can only flourish, and businesses can only succeed, if people feel safe in the place they call home. Anti-social behaviour is a barrier to thriving communities and prevents people from spending time in their local area, it makes women and girls feel unsafe, and erodes that same sense of community.
“I am pleased that Staffordshire is one of the Hotspot Policing trailblazer areas which will see an increase in police presence alongside other uniformed authority figures, such as wardens, in problem areas for anti-social behaviour. The increased presence will help 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.
“I will continue to work with Staffordshire Police and with Staffordshire’s Police, Fire and Commissioner, Ben Adams, to tackle ASB and to ensure the implementation of the Government’s new plan.”
Commenting, 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.”
