🚓 Anti-social Behaviour: East of England

• Definition and Impact of Anti-social Behaviour (ASB)
  • ASB encompasses various disruptive actions like fly-tipping, littering, loud music, nuisance neighbours, uncontrolled animals, and off-road bikes.
  • It significantly impacts the quality of life, causing distress and fear among communities in the East of England.
• Statistics and Local Incidents
  • Nationally, 1 million ASB incidents were recorded last year, with 36% of people experiencing or witnessing ASB locally.
  • In Norfolk, there were 8,800 incidents between 2023 and 2024, with 948 in Norwich North.
  • Specific incidents mentioned include rising abuse in libraries, vandalism in parks and cafes, and a large fire at a derelict site.
• Community and Police Response
  • There is a call for a stronger community police presence to address ASB, particularly to protect public spaces like children’s parks.
  • Examples of local initiatives include the Love Norwich campaign, which tackles environmental ASB through community action and grants.
• Government Initiatives and Legislation
  • The Government has introduced the Crime and Policing Bill to tackle ASB, including new powers for police to seize vehicles and introduce respect orders banning persistent offenders from certain areas.
  • Funding is being allocated to recruit 13,000 neighbourhood police officers to enhance community policing.
• Challenges and Criticisms
  • Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of past and current strategies, with some arguing that previous government cuts led to increased ASB.
  • There are questions about the adequacy of police funding and the potential impact on officer numbers.
• Focus on Youth and Prevention
  • Lack of youth services and support is seen as a contributing factor to ASB.
  • Initiatives like the Young Futures programme aim to provide support and opportunities for young people to prevent engagement in ASB.
• Regional Specifics
  • Different areas in the East of England face unique challenges, from urban ASB in city centres to rural issues like livestock worrying.
  • Communities across the region, such as Chelmsford, Hertford, and Thurrock, are actively addressing ASB through local measures and community engagement.
• Conclusion
  • There is a consensus on the need to strengthen prevention efforts, enhance policing, and empower communities to tackle ASB effectively.
  • The commitment to making the East of England a safer and more respectful place is strong among local representatives and the government.

The session on Anti-social Behaviour in the East of England displayed a moderate level of disagreement among the participants. Here’s a detailed analysis of the session that led to this rating:

1. Consensus on the Issue: There was widespread agreement across party lines on the severity and impact of anti-social behavior in their constituencies. Multiple MPs from different parties shared similar concerns and experiences, indicating a strong consensus on the need to address the problem. This is evident from the consistent support for various measures within the Crime and Policing Bill mentioned throughout the session.

2. Critical Interventions: Disagreement was more prominent in the form of critical interventions by MPs. For instance, Lewis Cocking from the Conservative Party challenged claims by Terry Jermy of Labour regarding police numbers, claiming that the last Conservative government had recruited more officers across the country. This exchange illustrates a clear point of contention related to policy outcomes and effectiveness.

3. Policy Criticism: The session also saw critique of government policies and funding decisions. The Liberal Democrat spokesperson Marie Goldman expressed disappointment in the lack of focus on underlying causes of anti-social behavior, such as the need for youth services. Similarly, Dr. Kieran Mullan from the Conservative Party criticized the current government’s funding approach, suggesting it could lead to a reduction in police numbers despite the announced increase in funding.

4. Defensive Responses: In response to criticisms and policy concerns raised by opposition members, the Minister (Dame Diana Johnson) defended the government’s approach and outlined new measures being implemented, such as the introduction of respect orders and a commitment to neighborhood policing. However, her responses acknowledged some of the criticisms indirectly, especially regarding police funding.

5. Examples of Disagreement:

   • Police Numbers Debate: There was a notable disagreement between Lewis Cocking and Terry Jermy over the trajectory of police officer numbers at the end of the previous Conservative government, with Cocking arguing that they were at the highest level and Jermy contesting this, stating numbers had dropped in Norfolk.
   • Funding and Policing Critique: Dr. Mullan questioned the government’s funding settlement and its implications for police operations, which the Minister responded to by explaining the government’s plans and funding allocations.
   • Youth Services and Prevention: Marie Goldman pushed for more focus on prevention through youth services, an area where she felt both Conservative and current government policies fell short.

The disagreements present were not intense enough to disrupt the session’s flow or prevent a resolution but did indicate underlying policy and funding concerns. The rating of 3 reflects a moderate level of disagreement amidst a generally cooperative atmosphere focused on addressing a common issue.