Police should harass young thugs - Smith
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Police should be harassing badly behaved youths by openly filming them and
hounding them at home to make their lives as uncomfortable as possible, the home
secretary will say today.
The crime initiative is part of a government strategy to win back voters by
proposing more radical approaches to tackling deep seated problems.
In a speech in London the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, will acknowledge that
the number of antisocial behaviour orders being issued is falling, but will
argue that there has been a shift to the use of parental orders instead.
As part of the crackdown on bad behaviour, she will urge police forces across
the country to follow the example of Essex police, who have mounted four-day
“frame and shame” operations by filming and repeatedly stopping identified
persistent offenders on problem estates.
The programme in Essex has been successful, even though it may raise human
rights issues about such tough tactics, especially if those harassed by the
police have not been found guilty of any criminal offence.
Smith will say: “There is no let-up in tackling antisocial behaviour. We know
that getting in early to stop troublemakers works, but I want stronger action to
deal with persistent offenders. I want police and local agencies to focus on
them by giving them a taste of their own medicine: daily visits, repeated
warnings and relentless filming of offenders to create an environment where
there is nowhere to hide.
“There can be no excuse for inaction while people still fear for the safety
of the streets and estates where they live. We will do more to protect them. We
all need to sharpen our resolve to tackle both the symptoms and the causes of
antisocial behaviour.”
The government has been accused by the Conservatives of going soft on its
previous “respect” agenda, closing down its respect unit and placing a new
emphasis on youth clubs and play.
The National Audit Office has also criticised the high number of breaches of
Asbos, arguing that ministers have little idea what measures are most effective.
Boris Johnson announced yesterday that he was imposing a ban on the drinking
of alcohol on all tubes and buses.
He has also raised the prospect of forming 100 Saturday schools where
children are drilled to march and learn manners.
Smith will be briefed at a conference in London today on the Essex operation
by its two creators, Inspector Jon Burgess and Sergeant Gavin Brock.
The police decided to target persistent offenders with filming techniques
first used in identifying hunt saboteurs and football hooligans.
An Essex police spokesman said: “The aim is to target a small group of
persistent offenders by openly filming them, knocking on their doors, following
them on the estate and repeatedly searching them, as well as warning them in no
uncertain terms that local people have identified them as lawbreakers.”
He claimed a four-day blitz in Basildon, which was followed up a few months
later, had dramatically reduced offending, and proved highly popular with
residents.
The scheme, codenamed operation Leopard, was approved by Essex’s Chief
Constable, Roger Baker, after specific estates had been identified as crime
hotspots, with more than 20 offences reported each week.
The police followed 14 people in their teens and early 20s. Each was well
known to the force, having built up criminal records for offences such as
intimidation, burglary, criminal damage, antisocial behaviour and vehicle crime.
Three surveillance officers spearheaded the operation, backed by uniformed
police and community support officers. A total of 60 stops were carried out.
As a result of other changes being introduced by the Home Office, it will be
easier to make these stops without needing to make a full record.
Ministers will defend the fall in the number of Asbos issued by claiming
other techniques such as acceptable behaviour contracts and parenting orders are
proving more effective.
Critics claim Asbos have become a badge of honour.
Acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) are written agreements between a young
person, the local housing office or registered social landlord, and the local
police in which the person agrees not to carry out a series of identifiable
behaviours which have been defined as antisocial. The contracts are primarily
aimed at young people aged between 10 and 18.
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