This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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‘Being tough on crime works’ – First Minister
16/06/2003
Successful action to tackle anti-social behaviour has
given a community in London renewed hope and shows what can
also be achieved in Scotland.
First Minister Jack McConnell has heard how local
despair at rising levels of crime and youth disorder in the
Slade Green area of Bexley, led to the launch of a
concerted campaign by residents, police, the council and a
local housing association.
Anti-social behaviour orders against a hardcore of
persistent young offenders have proved especially
effective.
The First Minister was visiting the area to share ideas
on dealing with crime and disorder in advance of the
publication later this month of proposals for an
Anti-Social Behaviour Bill in Scotland. Its measures will
include the introduction of similar orders for young
offenders in Scotland.
After meeting local residents, Jack McConnell said:
"Crime and anti-social behaviour tear at the social and
economic fabric of communities across Britain.
"The lack of respect for people and property that
afflicts decent people in Bexley is very similar to the one
that blights many parts of Scotland. But while the common
problem causes real misery, we can also turn this
similarity to our advantage.
"I wanted to hear at first hand from people in Bexley
how they have fought back successfully against crime and
youth disorder, as we step up our efforts to do the same in
Scotland.
"Bexley people know that being tough on anti-social
behaviour works. Works by tackling the debilitating
conditions that are often at the root of more serious and
violent crime, and by creating stronger and safer
communities. Communities where people feel safer and have a
much better quality of life.
"That is why, through our new Bill, we will introduce
new Anti-Social Behaviour Orders for under 16s in Scotland.
These orders for adults have already proved successful in
cracking down on nightmare neighbours - it is now time to
put an end to the situation where a handful of youngsters
can terrorise a neighbourhood with impunity."
Anti-social behaviour orders for young offenders are
part of a broad youth crime strategy in Bexley that
includes victim initiatives and better parenting. The
community has also taken action to combat and clean up
graffiti, set up a taskforce to deal with abandoned cars,
improve street lighting, increase CCTV coverage and more
park security.
Crime in Bexley has fallen by 6.8% in the last year
which makes Bexley the best performing Borough in the
Metropolitan Police area in crime reduction for 2002/03.
Since 2001, Bexley Community Safety Partnership's current
crime reduction strategy has reduced vehicle crime by 18%,
disorder by 13%, vandalism by 20% and street crime by 25%.
Street robbery in Slade Green has dropped by 85% and car
crime by 29%.
Before the launch of the Slade Green Community Safety
Action Zone, a survey showed 22% of residents in Slade
Green who responded felt safe at night in their area. After
the launch, another survey showed 93% of residents in Slade
Green felt safe at night in their area.