Communities are "fighting back" says PM

Tuesday, 31 August 2004 12:00 AM

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) are giving communities the chance to fight back against "yobs", according to the Prime Minister.

On his first day back at work after his summer holidays, Tony Blair sought to turn the political focus to Labour's domestic agenda.

Anti-social behaviour has been prominent in the headlines over the past few months, and during a visit to a housing estate in Harlow, Essex Mr Blair said that the introduction of ASBOs has allowed communities to "reclaim their neighbourhoods."

Official figures show that 2400 ASBOs have been issued in England and Wales since 1999.

Mr Blair said: "Anti-social behaviour can ruin neighbourhoods and make life a misery for decent, hard-working families. That is why we have given local communities the powers they need to enforce respect on the streets. There remains much to do, but police and councils are using those powers - up 117 per cent in last year - the public are coming together and the louts are on notice.

"ASBOs, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Fixed Penalty Notices, dispersal orders, closing crack houses, controlling fireworks, clamping down on graffiti and litter - they can help those that play by the rules beat those that don't. But we must use them.

The Prime Minister said that the campaign is "having a real effect" arguing that "crime is down, the chance of being a victim of crime is at its lowest for 20 years and for the first time in years people's fear of crime and of ASB is moving in the right direction. But we can and will redouble our efforts."

He pointed to the increasing willingness of authorities to use the orders with a 232 per cent rise in orders issued in Manchester since 2003, and a 182 per cent rise in Camden.

ASBOs allow police to place restrictions on "problem" individuals even if they have not been convicted of any crime. Such restrictions could include a ban on meeting with other named individuals in a public place or entering certain areas all together.

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