Apr
5
Anti-social behaviour action plan
Author: Chloe Smith, Updated: 05 April 2023 14:37
Everyone has the right to live without the fear of facing anti-social behaviour. To leave their home without dreading intimidation from neighbours, visit their local high street free of disorder and drug taking, take the train or bus to work without fear of abuse and walk down a pavement clear of dog mess and litter. Women and girls should not feel unsafe walking alone at night and families should not be intimidated away from parks by drug paraphernalia and groups of youths engaging in threatening behaviour.
On behalf of constituents, I am pleased to see that the Government is introducing an Anti-social Behaviour Plan. This ambitious plan establishes a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour which will ensure that the residents of Norwich North feel safe in the place they call home.
This action plan is backed by £160m of funding and the Government will be changing laws and tightening regulations to clamp down on anti-social behaviour – banning nitrous oxide, making sure more suspected criminals undergo drug testing on arrest, ensuring the police can move on those causing harm and blight while begging and making it easier for landlords to evict anti-social tenants who make their neighbours’ lives a nightmare.
The Government will ensure the police, councils and other agencies have all the powers and tools
they need – increasing on-the-spot fines (Fixed Penalty Notices) to up to £1,000 for those who fly-tip and up to £500 for those who litter or graffiti.
The Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan will make sure anti-social behaviour is treated with urgency – with offenders facing immediate consequences and cleaning up the damage they cause through new Immediate Justice trailblazers, paying for more uniformed patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour, giving communities a voice and improving the data and information available to ensure the public can hold to account those who should be protecting their community
This is an action plan with safety, security and a basic respect for others at its heart. It is about restoring the right of people across the country to feel safe in, and proud of belonging to, their local area.
As part of my work to champion tougher measures for anti-social behaviour, I have held meetings with Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner and the Constabulary and local councils. I regularly meet with the Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary to discuss the measures that they are taking to reduce crime in our fine city.
I will continue to make constituents’ voices heard when it comes to the criminal justice system. If you have any concerns or opinions which you wish for me to raise on your behalf, or any other matter, please do email me on chloe@chloesmith.org.uk or ring my constituency office on 01603 414756.
Chloe Smith