NE LINCOLNSHIRE HAS BEEN ASKED by the Government to do more to tackle anti-social behaviour. Home Secretary Alan Johnson is demanding that the area makes better use of the powers available and has outlined further support for victims of anti social behaviour, as well as making sure ASBO breaches are dealt with robustly in the court.

Speaking as the news was announced, Shona McIsaac, commented: 'The Government has given the police and councils a large range of powers to deal with anti-social behaviour. But I'm sorry to say that it feels as if the powers are not being used to their best advantage. Every week, distressed victims come to see me to ask for help. I agree with the Home Secretary that such behaviour needs to be tackled not tolerated. People want to lives their lives free from the corrosive effects of intimidation, harassment, nastiness and vandalism.

'I've been subjected to some horrible anti-social behaviour over the years, so I am totally on the side of the victims in this case. Often, when I have taken up problems on behalf of residents being targeted, I find out that they have been told that the police and the council can't do anything because they don't have the powers. That is simply not the case. The powers are there and all those with responsibility need to work together to put and end to anti-social behaviour. If anti-social behaviour takes hold, it affects entire communities. People feel despondent and helpless.

'For example, noise nuisances well into the early hours of the morning need to be dealt with - I really don't feel that North East Lincolnshire council do enough on this.

'I welcome the instructions from the Home Secretary that all complaints of anti-social behaviour should be properly investigated and that if residents feel that appropriate action has not been taken, then there is a right of redress.

'Interventions do work,' continued Shona. 'When the police, councils and social landlords work together, 65 per cent of people stopped their anti-social behaviour after the first intervention, 86 per cent after the second and 93 per cent after the third.'

The Home Secretary has written to councils, the police and social landlords today spelling out a minimum set of standards that he expects from them when tackling anti-social behaviour. This includes an expectation that they employ every one of the wide-ranging tools and powers available to tackle it.

Today's announcement also includes:

Better support for victims of anti-social behaviour 

• For the first time, victims taking a stand in the Magistrates Courts against offenders whose anti-social behaviour is blighting communities will be helped by Victim Support services; and

• Almost £2.8 million will be invested over the next two years for a network of 87 victims and witness champions in priority areas. This will include support in court proceedings, offering someone to accompany the witness when they give evidence and providing follow-up assistance when the court case is over.

Driving up prosecutions when Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are breached 

• A clear expectation that court actionis taken against those who break the law by breaching ASBOs.

By March 2010, The Home Secretary expects to see all areas delivering a minimum set of standards, including:

• Reducing perceptions of ASB year on year.
• Regular updates for every community on what is being done to tackle anti-social behaviour - including an expectation to publicise ASBOs.
• Offer support and practical help to victims of anti-social behaviour.
• Provide residents with a right of complaint when effective action is not taken by local agencies through existing channels.
• Taking reports of ASB seriously by recording and investigating all cases and committing to keeping victims informed of action taken

 Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:

'I made it clear when I first became Home Secretary that dealing with anti-social behaviour is my top priority. I want to see both police and local authorities using the powers they have been given in a way that is effective and responds to peoples' needs at the right time.

 'This may be tougher for some areas than for others, but communities will have to work together to show that antisocial behaviour is something that we tackle, rather than tolerate.

'It is vital no one ignores complaints of anti-social behaviour, as happened in the tragic case of Fiona Pilkington. Those on the receiving end of intimidation and abuse must not be made to feel like they are the ones causing a problem when they come forward.

'We have made good progress in tackling antisocial behaviour over the years by introducing wide ranging tools and powers that are proven to work. The public's overall perception of anti-social behaviour in their communities is also falling. But there is more work to be done; taking tough action against breaches of ASBOs through he courts is extremely important.' 

The 62 areas where more than 25 per cent of the public feel ASB is a big problem will be given additional support to improve. Each area will be offered a visit from an ASB Delivery Expert in the next three months to help identify problems and, where needed, deploy the ASB Action Squad to help drive up performance. North East Lincolnshire has been identified as one of these areas.

13 October 2009