Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour

Crime and anti-social behaviour was the number one issue on the doorstep in Northfield during the election.

No-one should feel unsafe on their doorstep, or in their own community.

I raised the problem in Parliament this week. The policing Minister has agreed to meet me, Simon Foster (the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner), and Birmingham City Council. I will push for the powers and resources that the police and council need.

Laurence Turner (Birmingham Northfield):

Crime and antisocial behaviour was the No. 1 issue on the doorstep during the election, and my constituents in Birmingham Northfield are paying the price for years of cuts to community services and neighbourhood policing. Figures released last week show that there was a 10% fall in recorded crime in Birmingham last year, but the number of shoplifting reports was up by a third. Will the Minister arrange a meeting with me, Simon Foster the West Midlands police and crime commissioner, and Birmingham city council, to discuss how respect orders and other measures can reduce the crime and antisocial behaviour that is blighting our communities?

Diana Johnson (Policing Minister):

My hon. Friend is absolutely right about this being one of the top issues on the doorstep during the general election campaign. It is worth reflecting on the fact that the powers in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 actually weakened the response to antisocial behaviour, and for far too long the Conservatives wrote this off as just low-level crime. That is why we are introducing respect orders and stronger powers for the police to tackle persistent antisocial behaviour offenders and get them out of our town centres. Of course I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this issue.