Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Antisocial Behaviour in Town Centres

26 April 2023 · 9 other contributors · 12,517 words

Opened by Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley

Responding minister: Sarah Dines

Policing & ResourcesCrime & Law Enforcement

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Robbie Moore raised concerns about antisocial behaviour in town centres in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Robbie Moore is concerned about persistent antisocial behaviour issues in Keighley and Ilkley, including assaults, speeding cars, vehicle vandalism, and fly-tipping.
  • Moore mentions recent violent incidents in Pontypridd and highlights the need for better community-police engagement and reporting mechanisms.
  • The Government committed an extra 2.5 million for a pilot to extend transport safety officers and have recruited 20,951 additional police officers since March 2023.

Key requests to Government

Moore asks for assistance to move the Keighley police station back into town's centre, encourages community engagement through police hubs, and urges the Mayor of West Yorkshire to prioritize new police officers in dealing with antisocial behaviour issues. He also highlights the need for better reporting mechanisms and dialogue between residents and the police. The speaker calls for an ambitious strategy from the government to tackle antisocial behaviour effectively. They hope for more funding support for community projects like a £4.4 million arts and youth centre zone in Pontypridd and improved neighbourhood policing.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley

Robbie Moore is concerned about the persistent issues of antisocial behaviour in Keighley and Ilkley, including assaults near the bus station, speeding and loud exhaust cars, vehicles being targeted with petrol, and fly-tipping. He cites a 16% decrease in police-recorded incidents from June 2022 compared to March 2020 but argues that the problem remains significant. Moore mentions localised hotspots such as Lund Park and Westburn Avenue where residents face intimidation and fear. The speaker is concerned about the recent violent antisocial behaviour incidents in Pontypridd, including a video showing an individual being kicked while on the ground. The MP highlights that this issue is not unique to Pontypridd but affects communities across the country. They express frustration with limited police resources due to cuts from the UK Tory Government and note that youth services have also been severely cut, contributing to increased antisocial behaviour.

Other contributors (9)
  • Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd

    Asked the Minister about the status of noise cameras to capture antisocial behaviour from modified cars racing through town centres, noting that this issue has not received much attention since April last year.

  • Anthony Mangnall Con Totnes

    Suggested that tackling antisocial behaviour involves enforcement, police visibility and providing young people with options to engage in positive activities. Also mentioned setting up a police hub initiative in his constituency which has been effective in reducing crime at no extra cost. Agrees that moving the Keighley police station back to town centre is essential. He supports the idea of using village halls for community-wide engagement and dialogue.

  • Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington

    Mr Lavery criticized the Conservative government for reducing police officers by 20,000 since 2010. He highlighted issues such as theft, vandalism, racist abuse, and lack of youth provision in his constituency. Retailers reported that the criminal justice system lacks confidence due to insufficient policing resources. Mr Lavery cited an example where a security guard was stabbed while trying to prevent shoplifting. He emphasized the need for more police presence on high streets.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Discussed antisocial behaviour issues in his constituency, including youth drinking, graffiti, loitering, and loud music. Mentioned the need for better cooperation between local councils and police to address building safety and antisocial activities. Highlighted the role of street pastors in reducing antisocial behaviour.

  • Jon Trickett Lab Normanton and Hemsworth

    Described a serious antisocial problem at Northfield Primary School in South Kirkby, citing inadequate policing due to funding cuts and lack of youth services because of the Tories cutting £1 billion or more in funding for youth services. There are no youth clubs left in his villages.

  • Margaret Ferrier SNP Rutherglen and Hamilton West

    Shared concerns about lack of funding for antisocial behaviour teams, citing an example from a pub in her constituency where harassment and assault had occurred despite preventive security measures. Emphasised the need for cross-agency cooperation. The MP mentions sectarian graffiti incidents in their constituency, suggesting that such behaviour can be generational and needs to be addressed as such.

  • Marion Fellows SNP Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

    Discussed the issue of antisocial behaviour in Scotland, highlighting that although police and local housing officials work closely together to tackle these issues, there are still challenges due to austerity cuts. Emphasised the importance of addressing root causes such as poverty and lack of resources for police and local authorities.

  • Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington

    Ms Hamilton expressed concerns about increasing antisocial behaviour in her constituency, highlighting that neighbourhood policing has been hollowed out by the Government. She mentioned a constituent survey where residents cited policing and crime as major issues, with many no longer reporting crimes due to lack of confidence in police response. She also criticized the rejection of a £11 million bid for Erdington's town centre transformation from the levelling-up fund and the overturning of local wishes regarding an eighth betting shop on High Street. The MP agrees with the point made about generational issues and discusses safety concerns for street pastors due to a lack of police presence on the high street.

  • Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West

    Condemned the Government for overseeing the closure of nearly 800 police stations across the country, contributing to antisocial behaviour issues in town centres. Ms Jones criticised the Government for not prioritising antisocial behaviour, citing a 30% increase in criminal damage to non-residential buildings and a 25% rise in antisocial arson. She highlighted Labour's plans to introduce respect orders, town centre patrols, mandatory antisocial behaviour police leads, and community clean-up squads.

Government Response

Sarah Dines

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms McVey. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Robbie Moore) for securing the debate. Antisocial behaviour causes distress and fear, ruining people's enjoyment of public spaces. The Government have committed an extra £2.5 million for a pilot to extend transport safety officers. From March 2023, 20,951 additional police officers have been recruited through the police uplift programme, bringing the current head-count in England and Wales to 149,572. The Government's action plan outlines stronger punishment for perpetrators, increased financial penalties, eviction of antisocial tenants, drug testing, manual reparative work, and higher fines for fly-tipping, littering, and graffiti. Communities will be consulted on the type of work undertaken by offenders, ideally starting within 48 hours. The delay between a private landlord serving notice for antisocial behaviour and eviction will be halved. Funding an increased police presence in targeted hotspots will make communities safer, with trailblazer areas piloting this response in 2023-24. The Vagrancy Act will be replaced to direct vulnerable individuals towards appropriate support, criminalise organised begging, prohibit begging where it causes blight or public nuisance, and give councils stronger tools to address rough sleeping as a public nuisance while ensuring genuine homeless people are directed towards help. Youth engagement is important for preventing crime; the Government have committed to funding 1 million more hours of provision for young people in antisocial behaviour hotspots and expanding eligibility for the turnaround programme supporting 17,000 children by 2025. A new digital tool will allow members of the public to report antisocial behaviour and receive updates on their case. The Government are implementing a wide-ranging plan backed by £160 million in funding.

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