Anti-social behaviour activists meet minister
People with experience of standing up to anti-social behaviour on their street met the crime prevention minister today.
Among those who attended the central London meeting were Maureen Tennison, Asher Nardone and Norman Rochester who have all made a stand against trouble in their neighbourhood.
The minister was keen to hear their views on a public consultation launched earlier this year called ‘More effective responses to anti-social behaviour’.
The document includes proposals for a community trigger that would give residents the power to compel local agencies to take actions against persistent troublemakers.
Stubborn problem
‘For too long anti-social behaviour has wreaked havoc in our communities and ruined decent people’s lives. That is why we launched a consultation to help reform our approach to tackling this stubborn problem,’ said James Brokenshire.
‘I want hear views from as many people as possible, however, those who have directly experienced the suffering caused by persistent anti-social behaviour have a special contribution to make to the debate and I am pleased to have heard their views first-hand.’
What’s your view?
You can have your say on the approach to dealing with anti-social behaviour by filing in the online consultation here. The deadline is 17 May.
Joan’s story
For four years Joan Parrott and her family endured anti-social behaviour, including her son’s car being torched, until one day she decided to make a stand. She worked with the police and housing associations to ensure problems in her community were addressed.
She knocked on doors and encouraged her neighbours to come forward and report anti-social behaviour. And she managed community safety events attended by hundreds of people. Now her fellow residents come to Joan for advice: people in her community have learned from her and no longer tolerate anti-social behaviour. Watch her story below.
James Brokenshire meets anti-social behaviour victims on Flickr
Transcript for Community action against crime