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Respect Orders and Antisocial Behaviour

27 November 2024

Lead MP

Diana R. Johnson

Debate Type

Ministerial Statement

Tags

Policing & ResourcesCrime & Law EnforcementEmployment
Other Contributors: 35

At a Glance

Diana R. Johnson raised concerns about respect orders and antisocial behaviour in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Government Statement

Policing & ResourcesCrime & Law EnforcementEmployment
Government Statement
With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement on the Government’s action to tackle antisocial behaviour. Diana R. Johnson outlined the issue of rising crime rates under the previous government, including shop theft up by 29%, street theft by 40%, and an increase in antisocial behaviour across various regions. She highlighted concerns about respect for citizens, society, and the rule of law, noting that more than a third of people report experiencing or witnessing antisocial behaviour, with about a million incidents recorded annually. Johnson emphasised the personal toll this has on victims, including feelings of anxiety and isolation. Johnson committed to introducing 'respect orders' as part of their manifesto, which will allow for tough restrictions on perpetrators of antisocial behaviour. These orders can be enforced by police or councils and issued by courts, with breaches leading to criminal offences punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or a community order. Additionally, the government plans to strengthen powers against off-road bikes in public parks, dangerous e-scooters on pavements, and street racing. Johnson also announced measures to combat retail crime, including introducing a new offence for assaulting retail workers and ending immunity for shop theft of goods under £200. The minister emphasised that while the task is ongoing, the government will not rest until public safety is prioritised.

Shadow Comment

Matt Vickers
Shadow Comment
The shadow responded by acknowledging the importance of tackling antisocial behaviour but criticised the proposed respect orders as unnecessary and similar to existing powers. He highlighted that under the previous government, there was a £160 million investment in an antisocial behaviour action plan which led to nearly 600 additional arrests, almost 1,500 stop and searches, and around 700 uses of antisocial behaviour powers. Vickers praised the hotspot policing initiative and its impact on reducing incidents by 21% in targeted areas. Vickers questioned how respect orders differ from previous public space protection or criminal behaviour orders and pressed for further detail on Labour’s police recruitment plans. He also called for continued support for frontline policing, challenging the government to match last year's £922 million increase in funding.
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