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Baroness Newlove asks communities to reclaim streets Baroness Newlove asks communities to reclaim streets
(40 minutes later)
The widow of a man who was murdered by a gang is calling on ordinary people to "reclaim the streets" from criminals.The widow of a man who was murdered by a gang is calling on ordinary people to "reclaim the streets" from criminals.
Baroness Newlove, the government's communities champion, says those who play an active role in making their communities safer should be rewarded.Baroness Newlove, the government's communities champion, says those who play an active role in making their communities safer should be rewarded.
One idea, called Bling Back, would see money seized from drug dealers given to the community that provided information to secure their conviction.One idea, called Bling Back, would see money seized from drug dealers given to the community that provided information to secure their conviction.
Ministers say the proposals will help to shape their approach to activism.Ministers say the proposals will help to shape their approach to activism.
In 2007, Garry Newlove was attacked and suffered fatal brain damage after spending months trying to stop troublemaking youths from vandalising his neighbourhood.In 2007, Garry Newlove was attacked and suffered fatal brain damage after spending months trying to stop troublemaking youths from vandalising his neighbourhood.
His widow Helen, who carried on his campaign, was made a peer by Prime Minister David Cameron shortly after the 2010 General Election.His widow Helen, who carried on his campaign, was made a peer by Prime Minister David Cameron shortly after the 2010 General Election.
Ministers asked her to visit community activism projects around the UK, gather ideas via a blog and to report back to ministers about what would work in making neighbourhoods safer.Ministers asked her to visit community activism projects around the UK, gather ideas via a blog and to report back to ministers about what would work in making neighbourhoods safer.
Council tax rebateCouncil tax rebate
In her report, the peer argues that communities can take more responsibility for dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime and become less reliant on agencies such as the police.In her report, the peer argues that communities can take more responsibility for dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime and become less reliant on agencies such as the police.
In return for doing so, she says they should be rewarded, and suggests giving those who take part a council tax rebate or vouchers to spend on local services.In return for doing so, she says they should be rewarded, and suggests giving those who take part a council tax rebate or vouchers to spend on local services.
Baroness Newlove also wants people to be able to set the speed limits on their local roads, and says they should be given speed guns with which to enforce them.Baroness Newlove also wants people to be able to set the speed limits on their local roads, and says they should be given speed guns with which to enforce them.
She says such grassroots enforcement already happens in Cambridgeshire, Devon and Cornwall.She says such grassroots enforcement already happens in Cambridgeshire, Devon and Cornwall.
Speaking after the report's publication, she told the BBC: "For too long now, too many people have either not known how to get involved, have not been listened to when they have tried to speak out, or simply felt that it wasn't worth it as nothing would ever change.Speaking after the report's publication, she told the BBC: "For too long now, too many people have either not known how to get involved, have not been listened to when they have tried to speak out, or simply felt that it wasn't worth it as nothing would ever change.
"This report sets out how we can change things by empowering local communities to reclaim their streets."This report sets out how we can change things by empowering local communities to reclaim their streets.
"Everyone has a role to play, communities must begin to take more responsibility and local agencies must begin to lessen their grip on the decision-making process and trust the people they serve to solve problems for themselves.""Everyone has a role to play, communities must begin to take more responsibility and local agencies must begin to lessen their grip on the decision-making process and trust the people they serve to solve problems for themselves."
She also said she believed there was a big appetite among residents for volunteering to improve their neighbourhoods.She also said she believed there was a big appetite among residents for volunteering to improve their neighbourhoods.
"To cynics who may be saying, 'Here we go again, another set of recommendations, another report to gather dust,' I'd like them to remember the spirit that sustained, then rebuilt this shattered country during and after the war," she added."To cynics who may be saying, 'Here we go again, another set of recommendations, another report to gather dust,' I'd like them to remember the spirit that sustained, then rebuilt this shattered country during and after the war," she added.
James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime Prevention, said: "Since her appointment, Baroness Newlove has been working tirelessly to inspire, challenge, support and learn from areas across the country.James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime Prevention, said: "Since her appointment, Baroness Newlove has been working tirelessly to inspire, challenge, support and learn from areas across the country.
"I look forward to seeing how her report will help to shape how we approach community activism in the future.""I look forward to seeing how her report will help to shape how we approach community activism in the future."


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Yes, I think it is a good idea; anything that reduces crime has got to be good. We should not always expect the police to do the dirty work. The baroness is right. Reclaim the streets from the yobs.Yes, I think it is a good idea; anything that reduces crime has got to be good. We should not always expect the police to do the dirty work. The baroness is right. Reclaim the streets from the yobs.
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  • Without funding, support and powers any policing by community groups or residents is doomed to failure and would amount to little more than local mob rule. As for Baroness Newlove's suggestion of arming local people with speed guns, who would ensure that these guns are calibrated, maintained and not tampered with?
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  • 3) There is a significant risk of wasting time and money on the reporting of rumour, false reporting of crime and the community subjecting certain individuals who may not fit in to the local dynamic to unjustified claims of crimes/ antisocial behaviour.This as far as I see it is a way of removing the responsibility of the police and placing it on the victims of the crime/ antisocial behaviour.3) There is a significant risk of wasting time and money on the reporting of rumour, false reporting of crime and the community subjecting certain individuals who may not fit in to the local dynamic to unjustified claims of crimes/ antisocial behaviour.This as far as I see it is a way of removing the responsibility of the police and placing it on the victims of the crime/ antisocial behaviour.
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  • am i missing the point ? don't we already have Neighbourhood Watch schemes what we need are guaranteed immediate police response to all crime reported so problems can be nipped in the bud before they escalate and more police on the street (not less as is happening now) clamping down on all offences(as New york in the 80's/90's) and a fast court system to deal with these type of offencesam i missing the point ? don't we already have Neighbourhood Watch schemes what we need are guaranteed immediate police response to all crime reported so problems can be nipped in the bud before they escalate and more police on the street (not less as is happening now) clamping down on all offences(as New york in the 80's/90's) and a fast court system to deal with these type of offences
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  • She has some good ideas - and at least she's trying. If I can get involved in this I will do so. The underlying causes of ASB and crime require more than just community support though. Society, govt and the media have for far too long promoted and worshipped monetarism and hedonism, whilst marginalising and ignoring the decent, hard-working, law-abiding, tax-paying majority. This has to change tooShe has some good ideas - and at least she's trying. If I can get involved in this I will do so. The underlying causes of ASB and crime require more than just community support though. Society, govt and the media have for far too long promoted and worshipped monetarism and hedonism, whilst marginalising and ignoring the decent, hard-working, law-abiding, tax-paying majority. This has to change too
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  • It is ill advised and dangerous for the general public to try to control anti social behaviour. It will either result in Vigilantism or law abiding members of the public being targeted by thugs. Anti social behaviour is a crime and as such should be dealt with immediatly and effectively by the police and the justice system. That is what the general public expect and pay for.
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