If the Prime Minister can deliver on his promise to end anti-social behavior “once and for all”, many people will have cause to be grateful.
Rishi Sunak wants to end anti-social behavior “once and for all,” which is a noble goal shared by all law-abiding citizens. It is a matter of political will whether it is possible.
Placing a crackdown on crime at the heart of his political message is wise because it resonates with voters who are subjected to vandalism, graffiti, and a general decline in order. Last week, Sir Keir Starmer made similar promises for a future Labour government.
Some neighborhoods, known as crime hotspots, are more vulnerable to this than others. Everyone who lives there is aware of it, as are the police. Furthermore, they have known for years.
Tony Blair took exactly this course of action in 1997. Anti-social behavior orders (Asbos) were introduced to target a small group of repeat offenders, but they were despised by civil liberties organizations, the majority of whose spokespeople did not live in the worst-affected areas. In 2010, the Tory-led coalition abolished them.
However, the fact that the measures to be announced by Mr. Sunak have a distinct sense of déjà vu does not negate the need to pursue them. What matters is that they are carried out rather than relying on empty rhetoric to persuade voters that the issue is being taken seriously.
If it is proposed that convicted vandals be forced to clean up the streets while wearing hi-vis clothing to demonstrate that they are on a community payback program, this should be implemented. If you’re not going to follow through, don’t promise it.
Similarly, increasing the number of police officers patrolling high-crime areas is an absolute necessity for maintaining order. The absence of any authority figures invites the yobs to act with impunity. However, this has been known for decades, and the police have become less visible, not more visible.
According to Mr. Sunak, vandals should clear up within 48 hours of receiving an order, but due to court backlogs, this could take months. Why not create a new type of standalone court that only deals with anti-social behavior and where punishments can be imposed quickly?
The PM is establishing a reputation as a leader who articulates his goals and works tirelessly to ensure that they are met. Many people will be grateful if he can truly put an end to the scourge of anti-social behavior.
