Harry Cohen
ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Many of you contact me about the problems caused by anti-social behaviour and, this week, the government has introduced an important new bill to combat this problem. At the time of writing this article, I have just notified the Speaker’s office that I would like to speak in the debate and by the time you read it I will know whether I’ve been successful in getting called or not.
I’m hoping to speak because the bill deals with many of the problems people come to see me about. For example, it would give the police powers to disperse groups causing trouble and to return young people under 16 to their homes if they are out unsupervised after 9.00 pm. Before they can do this, a senior officer has to designate an area where persistent problems have occurred, so it is designed to tackle problems in the areas where we know gangs gather to cause trouble.
The bill also grants the police powers to close down premises used for the supply or use of class A drugs where there is associated nuisance or disorder. I know from many of you the difficulties such places cause to law abiding people living nearby and this should allow police to deal with them more quickly. There is also a provision to allow landlords to apply to the courts for an injunction where someone is using their premises for an illegal or immoral purpose, which includes drug dealing.
Of course, there is some way to go before the bill becomes law. It now has to be considered in committee in the House of Commons before it returns to be debated again on the floor of the House. After that, it has to go through the same process in the House of Lords.
Let’s hope it completes all its stages and passes into law. It would certainly be welcomed by many of people who come to my surgery.
I would welcome any examples of the problems of anti social behaviour readers may have experienced where they live so that, in conjunction with the police, the local hot spots can be clearly identified. You can contact me: by letter to either Gilbert Wakefield House, 67 Bewsey Street, WA2 7JQ or House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA; by fax – 01925 232 239; by telephone – 01925 232 480; or by e-mail
jonesh@parliament.uk
