UK unveils new rules on loutish behaviour

LONDON: British police could be given powers to evict nuisance neighbours from their homes and problem parents will get lessons on raising children under a new government drive to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

The "Respect Action Plan," unveiled by Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday, will also increase on-the-spot fines for yobs and give communities a bigger say over policing.

"We need a radical new approach if we are to restore the liberty of the law-abiding citizen," Blair told police and community leaders at his Downing Street office. "My view is very clear: their freedom to be safe from fear has to come first."

Public concern over disruptive behaviour or low-level crime by gangs of teenagers was a key issue in last year's general election and is expected to figure highly in May local polls.

Many of Blair's proposals build on existing measures such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and fixed-penalty notices that have been in place for several years, prompting opposition politicians to accuse the government of repackaging old ideas.

Conservative leader David Cameron, whose election last month has energized his party, accused Blair of short-term solutions.

"The real respect agenda must include long-term solutions to the causes of social breakdown, not just short-term sanctions and punishment," he said.

But Blair and his ministers argued the plan includes new measures, as well as a focus on investing in after-school activities to keep young people away from crime.

Blair said "traditional thinking" under which suspected offenders were charged by police and taken to court had to be overturned in tackling anti-social behaviour and he acknowledged many of the measures reversed the burden of proof.

Critics accused the prime minister of turning Britain into a "Nanny State."

Under the measures, fines for disorder will rise to 100 pounds (US$180) from 80 pounds (US$144) and offenders may be obliged to carry out work in a community to compensate for harm they have caused.

The government is also consulting on a new power to close down properties that are a constant focus for anti-social behaviour, evicting residents irrespective of whether they own or rent the home.

Police already have the right to close down premises associated with Class A drugs, or so-called "crack houses."

Project workers will be assigned to supervise and sanction families identified as "out of control and in crisis."

The government will establish a National Parenting Academy to teach health professionals and social workers how to advise and educate problem parents.

Parents who are not willing to accept help will be sanctioned with so-called "parenting orders," which are court orders used to gain compliance from mothers and fathers.

(China Daily 01/11/2006 page8)