Antisocial behaviour: you ask the questions
Hackney Citizen digital debate GE2010
Here is another test video
- I guess the answer to this question is quite similar to my answer on gun crime - we need to provide people with a society in which there is greater equality and greater opportunity to participate.
We would aim to make a start on that kind of society for young people, by doubling current investment in out of school services for each young person, from £98 per year to £200 per year, and investing significant new funding in creating 2000 new Young People's Centres.
Of course, anti social behaviour is never acceptable - but we're not going to solve it simply through enforcement. We need to create a society in which people feel involved and included, or problems like this will continue to get worse. - I'm going to be at something of a disadvantage in most of these discussions because I don't offer policy-specific guarantees or pledges. What I do offer is to share my influence (including my vote) in Parliament with all the people of Hackney... so if this issue is key to Hackney residents (as evidenced by polls and discussions on my website), then it will be something that I take up in Parliament (including but not limited to voting the way Hackney people tell me to vote on issues relating to anti-social behaviour).
That said, as with the discussion on gun and knife crime, my own opinion largely mirrors that of Matt... we need to address the causes of the problem, and enforcement after the fact (such as ASBOs) doesn't do that.
Denny de la Haye - Independent
getavote.org and hackneysouth.org.uk - I agree with Matt here. Its a complex issue that reflects how many feel thatthey have no responsibility for others or even themselves.
I also think that as a society we have a real problem about what is acceptable in public space. We tend to see all young people as a threat but often they have no where else to go. No-go areas are created which up our fear of crime and so on. We need to reclaim our public space not fence it off
Suzanne Moore Independent. - Hi all
Apologies for the delay in responding – first chance I’ve had today to contribute.
Anti-social behaviour answer below.
Best
Darren Caplan
Conservative parliamentary candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington
07956 820145 (m)
darren@hackneyconservatives.com
www.darrencaplan.com
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In addition to measures freeing up the police – see my answer on ‘Gun and knife crime’ – the Conservatives recognise there is a real problem with anti social behaviour.
In 2008-9, the last full year for available figures, anti-social behaviour cost the UK taxpayer around £3.4 billion a year, with 3.7m million incidents recorded by the police (England & Wales). And between 2000 and 2007 over half of under-16s breached their ASBOs (Anti Social Behaviour Orders).
In Hackney, the Conservatives would overhaul the licensing system to empower Hackney Council to clamp down on binge drinking. We would introduce tough new powers to close down local premises which sell alcohol to under-age drinkers or where there is a persistent disorder problem. And we would try to inculcate youngsters to take responsibility for their behaviour by, for example, encouraging their participation in the proposed National Citizen’s Service programme. - My solution is very similar to that on violent crime. Many young people in Hackney simply have very little to do. The allure of trouble-making is understandable when facilities are cut and so few police can be seen out and about on the street. My aim for Hackney South is to provide round-the-clock activities for both young people –and their parents – in existing schools and community centres, providing sports, the arts, hobbies, skills learning and childcare. Investment in out of school services for each young person would be doubled, providing young people with something to do, a way to establish their talents, and a fulfilling outlet for the whole community.
Polly Lane
Green Party Candidate for Hackney South & Shoreditch - Hackney is 4th on the list of the top 10 boroughs with the highest ASBOS. The reality is that young people are bored and being antisocial is more interesting than boredom. When schools sold off their playing fields and funding cuts closed youth centres there was little for young people to do afterschool and at the week-end. If we wish to tackle this problem we have to relieve the boredom with something that the teenagers want to do – let’s ask them and see if we can afford it! Can we afford not too?
- The cause of the high incidence of anti-social behaviour in Hackney lies in the same roots as that of the gun and knife crime - there is a link with poverty, unemployment and young people not being in education, training or employment. The method that I have advocated for addressing gun and knife crime would also be effective for applying to anti-social behaviour.
- Who's Blogging
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Diane Abbott
Tony Harms
Polly Lane
suzanne moore
Hackney Citizen
Matt Sellwood
Darren Caplan
Keith Angus
getavote
Geoffrey G J Payne
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