Antisocial Behaviour

First Minister's Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 3:10 pm on 29 May 2003.

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Photo of Kenneth Macintosh Kenneth Macintosh Labour 3:10, 29 May 2003

To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Executive will introduce measures to tackle antisocial behaviour. (S2F-30)

Photo of Rt Hon Jack McConnell Rt Hon Jack McConnell Labour

We will be publishing before the summer recess draft proposals for an antisocial behaviour bill, which we intend to introduce to Parliament in the autumn.

Photo of Kenneth Macintosh Kenneth Macintosh Labour

I thank the First Minister for his reply. Does he agree that the majority of people, not only in East Renfrewshire but throughout Scotland, know that we are on their side when it comes to tackling serious crime through record police numbers, the Drug Enforcement Agency and new powers to tackle sexual offences? Does he also agree that the seeming freedom and impunity with which some families are able to disturb and even terrorise neighbours gives us cause for concern? Will he reassure the chamber that we will tackle antisocial behaviour now—before the much-needed legislation to which he referred is enacted—to let people know that we are on their side in that area, too?

Photo of Rt Hon Jack McConnell Rt Hon Jack McConnell Labour

The answer to the final part of Ken Macintosh's question is, of course, yes. We need new laws and will introduce the antisocial behaviour bill in due course, but there needs to be action right now—not just by national Government, but by local government and other agencies. This morning I discussed that matter with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, which is as committed as we are to tackling with urgency the issue of antisocial behaviour. ACPOS needs new laws to back it up, but it must also ensure that there is high police visibility on the streets and that people understand that they will be tackled when they commit antisocial acts.

That applies not just to adults and older teenagers who are involved in antisocial behaviour, but to very young children. In the past fortnight, I have come across seven, eight and nine-year-olds who are involved in putting fireworks through the letterboxes of old-age pensioners and in similar activities. They and their parents need to be held accountable for what they have done. We do not need to wait for new legislation to do that—the police and local authorities can act now.