Whitsun Adjournment

Part of Point of Order – in the House of Commons at 2:59 pm on 25 May 2006.

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Photo of David Evennett David Evennett Opposition Whip (Commons) 2:59, 25 May 2006

Yes, at school.

We need determination and, obviously, a visible police force, but something else is needed. Bexley is a great place: it is the second safest borough in London. That is only comparative, however. It is no good pointing out that it is the second safest borough if people in it are feeling frightened or threatened. We must be realistic. We must accept that there are problems locally, and that antisocial behaviour has consequences such as lack of concern, lack of respect, crime and criminal damage. We have heard often in the House in recent days that crime is not as bad as it was, but crime in Bexley increased by 6 per cent. last year, which is not impressive.

I welcome the opportunity to raise these issues today, which are of great concern to my constituents. I accept that the Government have done some things to address them, but they have done an awful lot of talking, as well. There is a lot more to be done to improve the quality of life in our borough.

Annotations

Ian Seale
Posted on 26 May 2006 11:45 am (Report this annotation)

Member of the House,
As a constituent of Bexley Borough, and a resident of Bexleyheath, I both confirm and support everything that David Evenett has said.
As well as being a resident of Bexleyheath, I am also involved in Public Entertainment in the Area as a DJ in The Broadway. What I can confirm is that there is less trouble at the Western end of the Broadway, which is mainly due to the more 'mature' nature of the clientelle. This is no mistake, the venues concerned have deliberately set a policy to attract a more well behaved crowd, by not only their decor, drinks on offer, themes, security and surroundings but also their music policy. This has a considerable effect.
It has to be said that the venues attracting the most trouble target a market which is border-line drinking age, and that is their business decision.
The sad fact is, that these same venues/bars only open for the weekend to serve the commuting drinkers from outside the area and provide little by way of leisure infrastrcuture for local residents.

Regarding the point of, I paraphrase, "Youths with nothing to do" - the old adage of "The devil makes work for idle hands" was never more true.
However, there is a prevailing, and growing culture amongst youths to do as little as possible and make as much money as possible - get rich quick, be famous, be on telly. They don't know how, or have any real skills to support such a ideal, but there is just no sense of personal pride or work ethic in existence with today's youth, and therein lies the problem.
These kids might know the things they do are wrong, btu they don't care, and nobody is there to stop them.
If unacceptable behaviour is constantly picked up upon and addressed, that behavour will eventually cease. This begins and ends in the home with the parents, and they must be made responsible for their childs actions irrespective of their age, but on the streets the police must be more assertive and in greater numbers to have any effect at all.

Regards,

Ian Seale