Can Labour really do any better than the Conservatives around tackling Anti-Social Behaviour?

Antisocial behaviour is not merely a ‘low-level’ nuisance. It hits the poorest communities hardest and, if left unchecked, leads to more serious offending. Yet, the Conservatives weakened enforcement powers. Labour will fix this by introducing new Respect Orders – powers to ban persistent adult offenders from town centres, which will stamp out issues such as public drinking and drug use. Fly-tippers and vandals will also be forced to clean up the mess they have created.

With shoplifting soaring, retail workers increasingly find themselves in harm’s way. Labour will scrap the effective immunity for some shoplifting introduced by the Conservatives and create a new specific offence for assaults on shopworkers that will protect them from threats and violence.

The new government’s manifesto pledge to tackle anti-social behaviour is ambitious and much-needed, especially for the communities most affected by it. One significant aspect of this plan is the introduction of Respect Orders, aimed at banning persistent adult offenders from town centres to address issues like public drinking and drug use. This initiative, along with compelling fly-tippers and vandals to clean up their messes, represents a more robust approach to tackling these issues. However, it’s essential to consider how these new measures differ from the existing powers available to the police and councils. Respect Orders may seem similar to current tools, raising questions about their necessity and potential effectiveness.

Moreover, the pledge to protect retail workers by scrapping the effective immunity for shoplifting and creating a new specific offence for assaults on shopworkers is a critical step in the right direction. With shoplifting on the rise and retail workers facing increasing threats and violence, this move addresses a significant gap in current protections.

However, one of the biggest challenges will be recruiting the additional neighbourhood officers needed to enforce these new measures. With police demand at an all-time high, retaining officers in their neighbourhoods may prove difficult. High demand often pulls officers away from community-focused roles to address more immediate crises, undermining the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing. Therefore, the success of this initiative will hinge not only on recruitment but also on ensuring that officers can remain dedicated to their communities despite broader demands.

It is also crucial to recognise that tackling anti-social behaviour requires a multi-faceted approach. While enforcement is essential, reducing police demand through the involvement of other partners, such as mental health services, is equally important. Mental health issues often underpin anti-social behaviour, and without adequate support from mental health services, the burden falls disproportionately on the police. Investing in early intervention strategies can play a pivotal role in preventing anti-social behaviour before it escalates. Programmes focused on youth engagement, mental health support, and community-building can help address the root causes of these behaviours, leading to more sustainable long-term solutions.

In conclusion, the new government’s plans to tackle anti-social behaviour are a step in the right direction, but their success will depend on several critical factors. Ensuring that new Respect Orders and protections for shopworkers are effectively implemented and differ meaningfully from existing measures is essential. Additionally, recruiting and retaining neighbourhood officers in the face of high police demand will be a significant challenge. Finally, a holistic approach that involves mental health services and invests in early intervention is necessary to reduce the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour. Only through a comprehensive strategy can we hope to make real progress in creating safer, more harmonious communities