Antisocial Behaviour 2022-06-20
2022-06-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The Home Secretary visited Keighley where she met the neighbourhood policing team. Antisocial behaviour is a significant issue affecting businesses and residents.
As the Home Secretary will be aware from her recent visit to Keighley, where she met our hard-working neighbourhood policing team, antisocial behaviour is unfortunately an undeniable problem and is having a detrimental impact on many businesses, residents and those going about their day-to-day lives. I was therefore delighted to see the Government launch round 4 of the safer streets fund with a specific focus on antisocial behaviour. Can my hon. Friend confirm that this will help drive a positive change in Keighley and beyond?
I very much thank my hon. Friend for his question. We are aware of the impact that antisocial behaviour has, and that is why this Government have introduced round 4 of the safer streets fund. That includes improved street lighting, increased CCTV and training to change attitudes and behaviours, all of which tackle antisocial behaviour.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Antisocial behaviour in the Laburnum Road area of Tipton has spiked. The question addresses how cross-agency work is being done to tackle this issue.
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her response. Unfortunately, antisocial behaviour continues to blight my residents in Wednesbury, Oldbury and Tipton, nowhere more so than in the Laburnum Road area of Tipton which has seen a spike in reports. Will my hon. Friend touch a little more on the cross-working that she is doing, particularly with stakeholders in the Black Country, such as West Midlands police and Sandwell Council, to ensure we really do have a community-led approach to tackling antisocial behaviour?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that this is a multi-agency and community approach. Yes, of course, the police are responsible for tackling and dealing with antisocial behaviour, which is why we are providing £695 million funding to West Midlands police, an increase of £40 million. The force has also been able to recruit over 1,000 additional officers.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
▸
Context
E-scooters are causing safety concerns in Bristol. The question asks about the regulation of e-scooters and their misuse.
In Bristol, we have a successful e-scooter rental pilot, but we also see people using e-scooters illegally and using rental e-scooters on the pavement. That can be very scary for people trying to walk along the pavement while that is happening. I know the Government are looking to legalise and regulate private ownership, but how will the Home Office team work with the Department for Transport team to ensure the police have the powers to stop them being misused in a way that scares people who are just trying to go about their daily business?
The Department is introducing new legislation to deal with some of these issues. Until that is on the statute book, however, it is the responsibility of the police to deal with the issue, and they have clear guidance: riding an e-scooter on the pavement is illegal in all circumstances.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Conservative Government's track record on antisocial behaviour and crime reduction is being questioned.
The hon. Member for Keighley (Robbie Moore) is right to ask the Government what they are doing to tackle antisocial behaviour. In his constituency total recorded crime went up by 59% from 2011-12 to 2020-21, which highlights the Conservative Government's track record, a damning one at that. No wonder crime is up. Action on antisocial behaviour is down since his Government took out 7,000 neighbourhood police officers—a cut of 30%—so the 1,000 the Minister just mentioned does not quite cut it. Will the Minister tell the House why the Government do not believe in neighbourhood policing, as they have clearly given up on it with the cuts they have made?
The hon. Lady is completely wrong in the contention she puts forward to the House. This Government introduced the beating crime plan, which puts tackling antisocial behaviour at its heart. We are increasing funding to the police and bringing more officers on to the streets to tackle this issue.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific reasons for cutting 7,000 neighbourhood police officers were not addressed.
Completely Wrong In Contention
Response accuracy