Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Antisocial Behaviour

Monday 29 July 2024 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister assured multiple Labour MPs that the government will take clear steps to tackle antisocial behaviour.
  • Government plans to introduce new respect orders and strengthen existing powers to address antisocial behaviour.
  • Minister emphasized the importance of neighbourhood policing and police presence in communities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kirith Entwistle Lab Bolton North East
Policing & Resources Community Security
Context

Antisocial behaviour is the most common issue raised by constituents in Bolton North East.

Question

Can the Minister assure me and my constituents that her Department will take clear steps to tackle the issue head on?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

Absolutely. We have been very clear that we see neighbourhood policing as the bedrock of restoring public confidence in policing, and the neighbourhood policing guarantee is a crucial part of that. The police have powers to crack down on the antisocial use of dangerous and deafening off-road bikes, which causes much concern in many of our constituencies, so that they can be seized and destroyed far more swiftly.

Partly answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Alex Barros-Curtis Lab Cardiff West
Policing & Resources Community Security
Context

During the election, constituents raised issues of antisocial behaviour.

Question

Can she assure me that this Government will work closely with the South Wales Police and our new police and crime commissioner, Emma Wools, to deliver on this vital mission?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

Absolutely. As I said in my opening answer, a priority for the Government is tackling the scourge of antisocial behaviour. We know that the police and local authorities have a range of powers to deal with antisocial behaviour, which we will strengthen through new legislation.

Partly answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Laurence Turner Lab Birmingham Northfield
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

Crime and antisocial behaviour were the top issues raised during the election campaign.

Question

Will the Minister arrange a meeting with me, Simon Foster the West Midlands police and crime commissioner, and Birmingham city council, to discuss how respect orders and other measures can reduce the crime and antisocial behaviour that is blighting our communities?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

My hon. Friend is absolutely right about this being one of the top issues on the doorstep during the general election campaign. It is worth reflecting on the fact that the powers in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 actually weakened the response to antisocial behaviour, and for far too long the Conservatives wrote this off as just low-level crime. That is why we are introducing respect orders and stronger powers for the police to tackle persistent antisocial behaviour offenders and get them out of our town centres. Of course I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this issue.

Partly answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Leigh Ingham Lab Stafford
Policing & Resources Community Security
Context

Residents of the Highfields area are concerned about off-road vehicles being used in pedestrian areas.

Question

Could the Minister please tell me what the new Government have planned to tackle this issue?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

I am very aware of this issue and, as I said in an earlier response, we want to make sure that there is swift action to deal with it. We think the neighbourhood policing guarantee, getting police officers back on to the beat to see what is going on, will provide that reassurance. Stopping antisocial behaviour is key and we will make sure that that happens, but I am happy to discuss it with my hon. Friend as well.

Partly answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Jo Platt Labour (Co-op) Leigh and Atherton
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

Residents in Leigh face persistent antisocial behaviour fuelled by drugs and alcohol abuse.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend outline the potential for collaboration among support agencies to better manage the complex nature of these offences?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

I thank my hon. Friend; how nice it is to see her back in her place in this House. Of course, collaboration will be key to tackling antisocial behaviour. In line with our manifesto, we will be introducing powerful new respect orders, giving the police greater powers to get persistent antisocial offenders off our streets. We will also introduce zero tolerance zones through a form of expedited public space protection orders, to prevent antisocial street drinking or local drug dealing, for example, from blighting particular areas.

Partly answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q6 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Policing & Resources Community Security
Context

An incident at Manchester airport raised concerns about trial by social media and the need for clarity on use of force.

Question

Will the right hon. Lady assure the House that she will continue this important work and stand on the side of our brave officers?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

I would just say to the shadow Policing Minister that one of the incidents he is referring to is clearly still under consideration by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and it would be wrong for me to make any further comment on that at this time. Of course the police have our backing in the difficult job that they have to do, particularly around antisocial behaviour, and we will of course do what we can to support the police when they need that support.

Not addressed: specific incident under consideration by Independent Office for Police Conduct

How: Referring To Ongoing Investigation

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q7 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Policing & Resources Scotland Local Government
Context

The number of police officers in the highlands has declined, raising concerns about antisocial behaviour and public confidence in the police force.

Question

As the Minister has said, the physical presence of police officers—coppers on the beat—is crucial to tackling antisocial behaviour, but during recent years we have seen the number of police officers in the highlands of Scotland decline hugely. That is extremely worrying and does nothing for public confidence in the police force.

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

I am sure the hon. Gentleman does not need advice from me. He is quite clear that this is a devolved matter, so he obviously needs to take it up with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland.

Not addressed: Advice on how to address the decline in police presence

How: He Is Quite Clear That This Is A Devolved Matter

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)