Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Antisocial Behaviour

Monday 15 April 2024 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Police should take action when there is credible reporting of criminal behaviour related to antisocial activities.
  • Acts of intimidation against parliamentarians and vandalism causing damage will be pursued as unacceptable.
  • The Department launched an antisocial behaviour action plan with 160 million funding, including extended patrols and new bans.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

The question arises from ongoing issues of antisocial behaviour affecting local communities, particularly concerning cannabis smoking in homes which causes significant annoyance to residents.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle antisocial behaviour. One of the aspects that really annoys my constituents is persistent cannabis smoking by people in their own homes, particularly in blocks of flats. When I raise this with the police, they say they will not go into people's homes and deal with it. Does the Home Secretary agree that this is good enough?

Answer from James Cleverly

The police should take action when there is credible reporting of criminal behaviour. I have had this conversation with police leaders from around the country, and it is a dialogue we will continue to pursue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on how the government plans to address persistent cannabis smoking within homes were not provided.

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Q2 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

Incidents of aggressive protests against political figures and damaging vandals have occurred recently, particularly outside the home of the Leader of the Opposition and at high-profile locations such as the Ministry of Defence.

Question

Protesters who recently created an obnoxious stunt outside the home of the Leader of the Opposition belong in jail. Protesters causing tens of thousands of pounds' worth of damage outside the Ministry of Defence last week also belong in jail. When it comes to this type of antisocial behaviour, will my right hon. Friend consider increasing visibility at high-profile locations such as those that I have mentioned?

Answer from James Cleverly

Completely unacceptable to try to intimidate parliamentarians. Will stand shoulder to shoulder with them regardless of their political party in defending their rights without fear of intimidation. Secondly, these acts of vandalism are unacceptable; criminal damage will be pursued.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on increasing police visibility and presence at high-profile locations were not provided.

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Q3 Michael Ellis Con
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The Labour leader in Nottingham South claims that the lack of policing presence and the poor performance of Nottinghamshire police under a Tory police and crime commissioner have led to residents feeling unsafe.

Question

Too many residents in Nottingham South tell me that antisocial behaviour is making their lives a misery. They never see a bobby walking the streets, and under the lawbreaking Tory police and crime commissioner, Nottinghamshire police has been placed in special measures by HMICFRS. My constituents will vote for Labour's Gary Godden on 2 May to rebuild neighbourhood policing and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to antisocial behaviour. Are they right?

Answer from James Cleverly

Across the country, best-performing police areas are typically controlled by Conservative PCCs. I know the situation in Nottinghamshire well and have spoken to its PCC who has a clear plan of action to ensure more frontline officers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans for increasing policing presence were not provided, only general comments on performance under different PCCs.

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Q4 Lilian Greenwood Lab Nottingham South
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

The safer streets fund was used to install new CCTV, gates, and lighting in Tunstall after local residents campaigned for it. However, the Labour leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council reportedly denied funding for Tunstall.

Question

Following an increase in antisocial behaviour in Tunstall, I worked with over 500 local residents to gain support for new CCTV, gates, and lighting through the safer streets fund. However, when I met the Labour leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, she told me there would be no money for Tunstall. She dumped undesirables in Sneyd Arms hotel leading to further criminal activity. Does the Home Secretary agree with me that Ben Adams, Staffordshire's police and crime commissioner, was listening and ensured safer streets funding so people would feel safer?

Answer from James Cleverly

A classic example of local leadership failing under Labour, compared to Conservative leaders defending communities. Local leadership under Conservatives has ensured that residents feel safer.

Not addressed: Specific praise for Ben Adams and his role in securing funding was not provided; instead, the answer focused on a political comparison.

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Q5 Jonathan Gullis
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

The Home Secretary was asked about the antisocial behaviour action plan, which includes £160 million-worth of funding and extended police patrols.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle antisocial behaviour. Last year we launched an antisocial behaviour action plan backed by £160m of funding; over 100k hours of police and other uniformed patrols undertaken targeting hotspots, a nitrous oxide ban, increased fines for fly-tipping, littering, graffiti; strengthening powers to tackle it through the Criminal Justice Bill making its way through House.

Answer from James Cleverly

We launched an antisocial behaviour action plan backed by £160 million-worth of funding, extended police patrols targeting hotspots, banned nitrous oxide, increased fines for fly-tipping, littering and graffiti; strengthening powers through the Criminal Justice Bill.

Answered
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