By Mehmet Solmaz
BIRMINGHAM, England (AA) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday said £160 million ($195 million) worth Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan to “stamp out” anti-social behavior “once and for all.”
Sunak pledged more police patrols and swifter punishments for those blighting communities.
“The public have rightly had enough – which is why I am determined to restore people’s confidence that those responsible will be quickly and visibly punished,” the British prime minister said.
Perpetrators of anti-social behavior will face swift and visible justice, with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) banned and police given more powers to test for drugs on arrest, the government said in a written statement.
The action plan is targeted to make sure that the issue is treated with the urgency it deserves, establish a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of anti-social behavior, and give the police and local authorities the tools they need to tackle the problem.
Under the plan, 16 areas in England and Wales will be funded to support either new "hotspot" police and enforcement patrols in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behavior, or trial a new "Immediate Justice" scheme to deliver swift and visible punishments.
“A select few areas will trial both interventions, and following these initial trailblazers, both schemes will be rolled out across England and Wales from 2024. Hotspot trailblazer areas will see an increase in police presence alongside other uniformed authority figures, such as wardens, in problem areas for anti-social behaviour, including public transport, high streets or parks.”
Under the new Immediate justice scheme, those found committing anti-social behavior will be made to repair the damage they inflicted on victims and communities, with an ambition for them to start work as soon as 48 hours after their offence, so victims know anti-social behavior is treated seriously and with urgency.
Under the zero-tolerance approach, nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” will also be banned “to send a clear message to intimidating gangs, that hang around high streets and children’s parks and litter them with empty canisters, they will not get away with this behaviour.”
Nitrous oxide is reportedly the third most used among those aged 16-24 in England and both the police and public have repeatedly reported links between use of the drug and nuisance or anti-social behavior.
Police will also be given new powers to crack down on illegal drug use, including expanding powers for drug testing on arrest so more suspected criminals can be tested, and more drugs tested for, including ecstasy and methamphetamine.
“Currently, only suspected criminals who have committed certain offences can be tested in police detention without additional requirements, but we will expand the range of trigger offences to include crimes linked to violence against women and girls, serious violence and anti-social behavior.”
Other measures include increasing the punishment for those who graffiti or litter.