Clause 36 - Anti-social behaviour orders
Anti-social Behaviour Bill
10:00 am
Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling, Labour)
I accept that. That was a helpful intervention.
Antisocial behaviour orders and the other sanctions in the clause must be part of a cultural change in society. As well as trying to understand and to deal with the problems, we must be tougher with individuals who cause mayhem on our streets. They must understand that their actions will have consequences.
In closing, I have a specific question for my hon. Friend the Minister, although I may have misread the clause. The introduction of community support officers is significant and radical, and they can help enormously to tackle the problems that we are discussing. However, I do not see them on the list of people who can request antisocial behaviour orders. Given that they are one of the major planks in our efforts to tackle problems in our communities, can my hon. Friend say whether they should have the power to suggest that antisocial behaviour orders should be used? Will he reflect on whether they should be included in the list?
With those brief remarks, I welcome the clause, which will encourage the use of antisocial behaviour orders. Such orders are not the solution to the problems in our communities, but they are part of a general range of sanctions.