Local councils
need to work more closely with other agencies to address
anti-social behaviour associated with Gypsies and Travellers,
Communities Secretary John Denham said today.
As with all communities only a small minority of Gypsies and
Travellers behave anti-socially and their mobile lifestyle can
exacerbate this – but perceptions that the community is not dealt
with the same as other communities damage public confidence about
fair treatment for all.
Mr Denham is urging local councils to make full use of powers
available to them when tackling anti-social behaviour in all
communities.
The Government today published guidance for local authorities,
the police and other agencies, setting out the strong powers that
are available to them in dealing with anti-social behaviour
associated with Gypsies and Travellers - whether they are the
perpetrators or the victims – and where possible preventing such
behaviour before it occurs. Powers include Anti-Social Behaviour
Orders (ASBOs), Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) and injunctions.
This guidance makes clear what action can be taken on policing
and prevention, fly-tipping, noise, straying livestock and untaxed
vehicles. It also stresses the importance of agencies working
together to apply the same rules to Gypsies and Travellers when
gathering evidence, prosecuting and collecting fines.
He also welcomed new planning rules which will speed up the
enforcement process where it may be necessary so that quicker
action can be taken against developments without planning
permission such as unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller sites.
Communities Secretary John Denham said:
"Everyone has the right to expect to live in
neighbourhoods that are free from anti-social behaviour – whether
its unruly neighbours, aggressive gangs or mindless vandals.
"While much has been achieved there are still
communities where such behaviour causes real misery. Everyone has
responsibilities and rights and no one should receive preferential treatment.
"Local councils and the police have strong powers and
tools to crack down on anti-social behaviour – and I expect them
to be used to the full. This guidance will help ensure that the
local agencies understand the powers available to them and can
take prompt appropriate action."
Home Secretary Alan
Johnson said:
"Anti-social behaviour, which I am
determined to tackle, devastates people’s lives and runs down our
communities.
"The Gypsy and Traveller community
is treated no differently than the rest of the community.
Perpetrators of crime and antisocial behaviour will be punished
and, where appropriate, taken through the criminal courts and
jailed.
"Earlier this month I made clear to
all local agencies that I expect them to work together and respond
to complaints of antisocial behaviour within 24 hours, using the
wide ranging and tough powers we have provided which we know work.
This guidance helps drive home that important message."
The need for this guidance was welcomed by the independent Task
Group on Site Provision and Enforcement for Gypsies and Travellers
which includes Gypsy and Traveller representation.
Sir Brian Briscoe, chair of the Task Group said:
"I
am pleased that the Government is publishing guidance on
anti-social behaviour relating to Gypsies and Travellers.
"I hope that this guidance will help local authorities,
the police and other agencies to address the issues of anti-social
behaviour related to Gypsies and Travellers whether they are the
victims or the perpetrators of such behaviour."
The publication builds on measures put in place for local
councils to provide new authorised sites and tough powers for
local authorities to use when dealing with camping on unauthorised
land.
John Denham is challenging local councils to use the Government
funds available to provide authorised sites which could
substantially cut enforcement costs, currently estimated at £18
million a year.
Today’s publication is part of a major campaign to tackle
anti-social behaviour. This includes training up to 10,000
community champions and front-line staff to join together to take
a stand against anti-social behaviour.
A new booklet to 10 million households has also recently been
delivered to ensure they know how to take action and challenge
their public services and comes as part of a £10 million package
to tackle anti-social behaviour, including more than £6 million
support for 130 areas to address their particular local priorities
on anti social behaviour.
The Home Secretary and Communities Secretary have today
written to all local authority chief executives in England to
encourage them to continue working closely with the police to help
increase public confidence that the police and councils are
dealing with the crime and anti-social behaviour issues that
matter locally.
The letter re-emphasises the message at the
heart of the Government’s new Safe and Confident Neighbourhoods
Strategy - that all services must work together to ensure that no
victim of crime or anti-social behaviour falls through the gaps.
Notes to Editors
1. Copy of the guidance is available at: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/anti-socialbehaviourguide
2. Communities and Local Government is supporting a range of
activity as part of a cross-Government drive to ensure that the
public is able to live in neighbourhoods free from the corrosive
effects of intimidation and harassment. Tackling anti-social
behaviour is the joint responsibility of a range of agencies and
the best results are achieved where these agencies work together
in partnership. The community can also play an important role in
working with local agencies to take successful action against
anti-social behaviour.
In November 2010 John Denham announced extra support for
communities to tackle anti social behaviour including £10 million
funding. Among the measures are:
• letting local residents know their rights and how to report
anti-social behaviour through targeted leaflets to 10 million
households;
• training for frontline staff and residents to learn about
the tool and powers available to tackle anti-social behaviour; and
• extra funding for local work in 130 local areas to tackle
anti-social behaviour such as environmental clean up campaigns,
supporting community led projects to engage young people and
creating more attractive public spaces.
3. The Government set up an independent Task Group on Site
Provision and Enforcement in 2006 to look at unauthorised Gypsy
and Traveller encampments and developments. The Group's
final report The Road Ahead was published in December 2007.
One of its recommendations included reducing the time for
planning appeals when the same development is the subject of an
enforcement notice. The Planning White Paper took this
recommendation forward. The 'Briscoe amendment'
has recently been introduced - through changes to the General
Development Procedure Order (GDPO) - and comes into effect on 6 April.
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