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Blair unveils new crackdown on yob behaviour
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-11 09:34
British police could be given powers to evict nuisance neighbours from their
homes and problem parents will get lessons on raising children under a new
government drive to crack down on anti-social behaviour.
The "Respect Action Plan", unveiled by Prime Minister Tony Blair on Tuesday,
will also increase on-the-spot fines for yobs and give communities a bigger say
over policing.
A woman walks her dog past a wall covered in graffiti in
Edinburgh, Scotland, January 10,
2006.[Reuters] | "We need a radical new approach
if we are to restore the liberty of the law-abiding citizen," Blair told police
and community leaders at his Downing Street office. "My view is very clear:
their freedom to be safe from fear has to come first."
Public concern over disruptive behaviour or low-level crime by gangs of
teenagers was a key issue in last year's general election and is expected to
figure highly in May local polls.
Many of Blair's proposals build on existing measures such as Anti-Social
Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and fixed-penalty notices that have been in place for
several years, prompting opposition politicians to accuse the government of
repackaging old ideas.
Conservative leader David Cameron, whose election last month has energised
his party, accused Blair of short-term solutions.
Leader of Britain's opposition Conservative party David
Cameron speaks to journalists to launch his "respect agenda" during a
visit to a community centre in central London January 10, 2006.
[Reuters] | "The real respect agenda must include
long-term solutions to the causes of social breakdown, not just short-term
sanctions and punishment," he said.
But Blair and his ministers argued the plan includes new measures, as well as
a focus on investing in after-school activities to keep young people away from
crime.
Blair said "traditional thinking" -- under which suspected offenders were
charged by police and taken to court -- had to be overturned in tackling
anti-social behaviour and he acknowledged many of the measures reversed the
burden of proof.
Critics accused the prime minister of turning Britain into a 'Nanny State'.
Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair is
prepared before giving an interview about his flagship "Respect Action
Plan" at Downing Street in London January 10,
2006.[Reuters] | Under the measures, fines for
disorder will rise to 100 pounds from 80 pounds and offenders may be obliged to
carry out work in a community to compensate for harm they have caused.
The government is also consulting on a new power to close down properties
that are a constant focus for anti-social behaviour, evicting residents
irrespective of whether they own or rent the home.
Police already have the right to close down premises associated with Class A
drugs, or so-called "crack houses".
Project workers will be assigned to supervise and sanction families
identified as "out of control and in crisis".
The government will establish a National Parenting Academy to teach health
professionals and social workers how to advise and educate problem parents.
Parents who are not willing to accept help will be sanctioned with so-called
"parenting orders", which are court orders used to gain compliance from mothers
and fathers.
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