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MPs urge swifter response over anti-social behaviour | MPs urge swifter response over anti-social behaviour |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Victims of anti-social behaviour should be guaranteed a response from the authorities if they have complained more than five times, an influential group of MPs has said. | Victims of anti-social behaviour should be guaranteed a response from the authorities if they have complained more than five times, an influential group of MPs has said. |
The Home Affairs Committee said how victims were dealt with shouldn't be dependent on where they live. | The Home Affairs Committee said how victims were dealt with shouldn't be dependent on where they live. |
They also recommended naming agencies that failed to meet the target. | They also recommended naming agencies that failed to meet the target. |
Ministers said new government measures would make it "easier and quicker" for agencies to protect victims. | Ministers said new government measures would make it "easier and quicker" for agencies to protect victims. |
The committee was reviewing the government's draft Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, which is part of government plans to put victims in the "driving seat". | The committee was reviewing the government's draft Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, which is part of government plans to put victims in the "driving seat". |
Around 2.4m incidents of anti-social behaviour were recorded by the police in England and Wales for the year to September. | Around 2.4m incidents of anti-social behaviour were recorded by the police in England and Wales for the year to September. |
'Breed criminality' | 'Breed criminality' |
If the bill is passed, victims of anti-social behaviour will be able to choose the punishment for offenders under government plans. | If the bill is passed, victims of anti-social behaviour will be able to choose the punishment for offenders under government plans. |
It would also establish a "community trigger" - a new tool that would give victims the right to demand that agencies take action, the threshold of which would be set locally. | It would also establish a "community trigger" - a new tool that would give victims the right to demand that agencies take action, the threshold of which would be set locally. |
The government hopes this would help stop cases like Fiona Pilkington who killed herself and her daughter in 2007 after repeated complaints to police about harassment by youths. | The government hopes this would help stop cases like Fiona Pilkington who killed herself and her daughter in 2007 after repeated complaints to police about harassment by youths. |
But the MPs found that while it was helpful to have some local flexibility in how the trigger was activated, a national maximum of vie complaints would provide a "backstop" for victims. | But the MPs found that while it was helpful to have some local flexibility in how the trigger was activated, a national maximum of vie complaints would provide a "backstop" for victims. |
Committee chair Keith Vaz said: "Anti-social behaviour is not something trivial that can be ignored - it can crush lives and breed criminality in our communities. | Committee chair Keith Vaz said: "Anti-social behaviour is not something trivial that can be ignored - it can crush lives and breed criminality in our communities. |
"The community trigger is meant to be the last line of defence to protect the public from anti-social behaviour. No one should have to complain more than five times before they see action." | "The community trigger is meant to be the last line of defence to protect the public from anti-social behaviour. No one should have to complain more than five times before they see action." |
Mr Vaz said the committee welcomed the government's work to speed up action against anti-social behaviour but a "powerful trigger" was needed to tackle persistent abuse. | Mr Vaz said the committee welcomed the government's work to speed up action against anti-social behaviour but a "powerful trigger" was needed to tackle persistent abuse. |
Pilots of the community trigger have been taking place in Brighton, West Lindsey, Boston, Richmond Housing, and Manchester - but Labour said the results had not been encouraging | Pilots of the community trigger have been taking place in Brighton, West Lindsey, Boston, Richmond Housing, and Manchester - but Labour said the results had not been encouraging |
Based on data released under the Freedom of Information Act, there were 23,648 recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour in Manchester between June and October last year, but the community trigger was successfully activated just three times during that period, Labour said. | Based on data released under the Freedom of Information Act, there were 23,648 recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour in Manchester between June and October last year, but the community trigger was successfully activated just three times during that period, Labour said. |
Shadow home office minister Gloria de Piero said: "Too many people are still waiting too long for their anti-social behaviour complaints to be dealt with. | Shadow home office minister Gloria de Piero said: "Too many people are still waiting too long for their anti-social behaviour complaints to be dealt with. |
"The home secretary's proposed community trigger is not the answer. | |
"Recommending that people have to wait until five complaints have been made before agencies have to act does not reflect the misery that can be caused by anti-social behaviour." | "Recommending that people have to wait until five complaints have been made before agencies have to act does not reflect the misery that can be caused by anti-social behaviour." |
'Naming and shaming' | 'Naming and shaming' |
Crime prevention minister Jeremy Browne said: "The community trigger is intended to be a safety net for the public if police and local authorities do not take action, not the first response when a problem occurs. | Crime prevention minister Jeremy Browne said: "The community trigger is intended to be a safety net for the public if police and local authorities do not take action, not the first response when a problem occurs. |
"It is one of a range of new measures which will make it easier and quicker for agencies to protect victims and communities from the blight of anti-social behaviour." | "It is one of a range of new measures which will make it easier and quicker for agencies to protect victims and communities from the blight of anti-social behaviour." |
The committee also recommended a new national anti-social behaviour forum, headed by a chief constable, housing association chief executive and local council leader. | The committee also recommended a new national anti-social behaviour forum, headed by a chief constable, housing association chief executive and local council leader. |
The forum would help improve inter-agency working, that is communication between police, councils, housing associations and mental health authorities. | The forum would help improve inter-agency working, that is communication between police, councils, housing associations and mental health authorities. |
To the consternation of some charities, MPs said they were happy to leave the decision not to name a young person subjected to an anti-social behaviour order to the discretion of judges. | To the consternation of some charities, MPs said they were happy to leave the decision not to name a young person subjected to an anti-social behaviour order to the discretion of judges. |
The Standing Committee for Youth Justice (SCYJ), a body whose members include Barnardo's, The Children's Society and Prison Reform Trust, said it was "disappointed" the committee did not "oppose the naming and shaming of teenagers subject to anti-social behaviour orders". | The Standing Committee for Youth Justice (SCYJ), a body whose members include Barnardo's, The Children's Society and Prison Reform Trust, said it was "disappointed" the committee did not "oppose the naming and shaming of teenagers subject to anti-social behaviour orders". |
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