Govt pushes ABC approach to youth crime
Smith promises to 'nib crime in bud'
Thursday, 23, Aug 2007 12:00
The government will ask young people to behave as part of a promised crackdown on youth violence.
Jacqui Smith said the government wants to dramatically increase the number of anti-social behaviour contracts (ABCs) issued, to nip low-level offending "in the bud".
These are voluntary agreements signed between offenders and police and local services. In signing up to an ABC, the offender acknowledges their behaviour was wrong and promises to behave for at least six months.
The home secretary said 25,000 ABCs had been issued to date and argued they are effective in tackling anti-social behaviour.
Ms Smith told the Mirror last night: "I want ABCs used everywhere they can have an impact. It's saying we're not going to tolerate this behaviour whether it comes from adults or children.
"We need to nip low-level bad behaviour in the bud before it affects the community and turns into more serious crime.
"It's making people stand up to their responsibilities and making sure children are not on the streets causing trouble."
Chief Constable Mike Goodwin, lead member on anti-social behaviour with the Association of Chief Police Officers, told the BBC the contracts were effective.
He said: "Police, working together with local authority and youth justice partners have found that, in many cases where ABCs have been issued, offending will stop without recourse to legal remedies.
"This is great news for local people whose lives are blighted by anti-social or inconsiderate behaviour."
Ms Smith today chaired a meeting alongside Gordon Brown to address the rising death toll among young people in Briton.
The pre-planned meeting follows the shooting of an 11-year-old boy in Liverpool last night. Rhys Jones was shot outside a pub in the Croxteth area of the city.
Last week the government came under renewed pressure to tackle underage drinking after a senior police officer blamed the availability of cheap alcohol for anti-social behaviour.
Ms Smith said the government was already investigating the link and had made efforts to tackle the "dodgy" off-licences selling kids drink.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There are two issues here. One: We do need to know whether or not price and promotion is impacting on alcohol misuse.
"Two: We need to stop young people from getting hold of drink."
Yesterday, David Cameron launched the Conservatives into the debate on young anti-social behaviour and called for young offenders to be banned from driving.
Mr Cameron pre-empted the home secretary's comments by arguing low-level anti-social behaviour should be addressed before it develops into violent crime.