Communities throughout England and Wales can expect to witness a stronger police presence in areas plagued by anti-social behaviour. As well as more immediate and stringent consequences for offenders. These measures are part of the Prime Minister’s action plan aimed at cracking down on antisocial behaviour and fostering stronger communities.
Starting this week, 16 police force areas, including Cleveland, Derbyshire, and Northumbria. And will introduce either “hotspot” policing initiatives or “immediate justice” schemes. Offenders involved in antisocial behaviour will be required to wear a high-visibility vest. Undertake tasks such as repairing damage caused to the community, cleaning police cars, removing graffiti, tidying up local parks, or engaging in litter picking.
“Immediate justice” programs, already operational in Sussex and Derbyshire, strive to ensure that offenders commence their assigned tasks within as little as 48 hours after committing a crime. The aim is to convey a message to victims that antisocial behaviour is treated with utmost seriousness.
The hotspot policing schemes will witness an increased number of police patrols in areas with high rates of anti-social behaviour. Particular attention is given to locations where incidents occur more frequently, such as public transport hubs or parks. By stepping up enforcement actions and acting as a deterrent. These initiatives seek to create safer environments and prevent crimes from taking place in the first instance.
While the trial areas are currently funded under the government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan unveiled in March. The intention is to implement these initiatives across all areas of England and Wales by 2024.
Prime Minister’s Commitment to Public Safety and Community Well-being
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed the importance of ensuring that individuals have the right to feel safe in their communities. Moreover have confidence that those responsible for antisocial behaviour will face the consequences of their actions. He emphasised that combating anti-social behaviour is a fundamental aspect of his commitment to building a better future for all citizens. These measures will swiftly and visibly hold perpetrators accountable for damaging their communities.
In addition to these efforts, the Home Secretary announced today an additional £60 million in funding. Equivalent to £1.4 million for each police force area in the country. This additional funding will provide resources to support the implementation of the antisocial behaviour crackdown and further enhance community safety measures.