When I talk to residents or attend Parish Council meetings, the impact of anti-social behaviour in our towns and villages is a common topic of discussion. Public intoxication, graffiti, deliberate discarding of litter or fly tipping in the countryside are all real offences against the public realm which cause law abiding residents to feel unsafe or that the rule of law is not being properly upheld.
Everyone has the right to live without fear of facing anti-social behaviour, to leave their home without fearing intimidation, to shop in a vibrant high street free from disorder and disrepair, and to use and enjoy their parks and community spaces. The public must trust that there will be action taken when they report the intimidation and harassment they face. Too many tell me that they don’t feel that is the case today.
For this reason, I was pleased that the Government launched an Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan this week to treat the issue with the gravity that it deserves.
I was also pleased that West Sussex has been selected to participate in the ‘Immediate Justice’ trial aimed at delivering swift, visible punishment for anti-social behaviour. Offenders will be forced to undertake practical, reparative activity whilst wearing high visibility jackets or jump suits to make good the loss or damage sustained by victims within 48 hours of offending.
Additionally, the Government has announced it will ban the drug nitrous oxide, citing an end to the piles of small metal cannisters you may see in road drains and play parks as well as preventing the harm to life and health from this chemical compound.
It is only right that people have had enough of feeling uneasy in their local area. I am hopeful that, with this renewed sense of determination on tackling anti-social crime, we will observe visible progress in ending the behaviour that undermines the sense of pride we all have in our local community.
