Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash, has welcomed the announcement that the Government is launching Immediate Justice and Hotspot Policing in Derbyshire, as part of the new Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan to make sure perpetrators face swift and visible justice.
16 areas in England and Wales, including Derbyshire will be funded to support either new ‘hotspot’ police and enforcement patrols in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour, or trial a new ‘Immediate Justice’ scheme to deliver swift and visible punishments. Both schemes will be rolled out across England and Wales from 2024.
Maggie commented: “I am pleased that the Government has launched a new zero-tolerance Action Plan to tackle anti-social behaviour, which includes rolling out a stronger policing response in problem hotspots, increasing the use of drug testing, and making it easier to evict anti-social tenants.
“If implemented properly by the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), I am confident that this plan, which is back by £160 million of new Government funding, will not only make people safer, but will also help to restore pride in our local area.
“I will be lobbying hard to ensure that Erewash is allocated its fair share of this new funding by the PCC, and that our local police have the resources they need to maximise the impact the Action Plan has on stamping out anti-social behaviour.”
Offenders committing anti-social behaviour will be made to repair the damage they inflicted on victims and communities, with an ambition for them to start work as soon as 48 hours after their offence.
Under the new Action Plan, offenders will be made to wear high-vis vests or jumpsuits to pick up litter, remove graffiti and wash police cars as punishment. Victims of anti-social behaviour from the local community will be given a say in offenders’ punishments to ensure justice is visible and fits the crime. Stronger punishments will also be handed out to those who graffiti, litter or fly tip, with increased fines of up to £500 and £1,000.
The Government announced that Nitrous oxide or ‘laughing gas’ will be banned to send a clear message to gangs that hang around high streets and children’s parks and litter them with empty canisters that they will not get away with this behaviour.
Police will also be given new powers to crack down on illegal drug use with expanded powers for drug testing on arrest, so more suspected criminals can be tested.