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Ministers reveal 'respect zones' Ministers reveal 'respect zones'
(10 minutes later)
The government has announced 40 "respect zones" in England and Wales to receive extra funding to fight anti-social behaviour.The government has announced 40 "respect zones" in England and Wales to receive extra funding to fight anti-social behaviour.
They will provide parenting classes, meetings between police and the public and "intervention projects", to tackle so-called "neighbours from hell".They will provide parenting classes, meetings between police and the public and "intervention projects", to tackle so-called "neighbours from hell".
The Conservatives dismissed the zones, which will get £6m, as a "gimmick".The Conservatives dismissed the zones, which will get £6m, as a "gimmick".
But Downing St respect "tsar", Louise Casey, said they would point troubled communities in "the right direction". But Downing St respect "tsar" Louise Casey said they would point troubled communities in "the right direction".
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The areas were chosen for reasons including high levels of deprivation, crime, truancy and school exclusion.The areas were chosen for reasons including high levels of deprivation, crime, truancy and school exclusion.
Ms Casey said: "We want the 40 areas to show how we can take the programme forward and point people in the right direction as well as keeping up the unrelenting drive to tackle anti-social behaviour.Ms Casey said: "We want the 40 areas to show how we can take the programme forward and point people in the right direction as well as keeping up the unrelenting drive to tackle anti-social behaviour.
"These are the areas that are doing parenting classes and family projects that tackle the really, really difficult people in our communities.""These are the areas that are doing parenting classes and family projects that tackle the really, really difficult people in our communities."
Last year, figures revealed about half of all anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) given out in England and Wales had been breached.Last year, figures revealed about half of all anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) given out in England and Wales had been breached.
'Deliver results''Deliver results'
Prime Minister Tony Blair is marking the announcement of the zones by attending a "face the people" session in Brighton, one of the cities taking part.Prime Minister Tony Blair is marking the announcement of the zones by attending a "face the people" session in Brighton, one of the cities taking part.
He said: "The key to tackling anti-social behaviour successfully lies in local communities.He said: "The key to tackling anti-social behaviour successfully lies in local communities.
"Central government can provide the powers and the resources, as we are, but it is the police, local authorities and local people who have to use them effectively to deliver results."Central government can provide the powers and the resources, as we are, but it is the police, local authorities and local people who have to use them effectively to deliver results.
"Communities know where the problems are - and they now know too how best to use new powers to tackle them.""Communities know where the problems are - and they now know too how best to use new powers to tackle them."
Communities don't want gimmicks; they want police officers on their streets to take real action Nick Herbert, ConservativesCommunities don't want gimmicks; they want police officers on their streets to take real action Nick Herbert, Conservatives
There had been "real progress", with communities across the country making full use of the powers, he added.There had been "real progress", with communities across the country making full use of the powers, he added.
Home Secretary John Reid said: "Respect is a national programme and we expect all areas to play their part.Home Secretary John Reid said: "Respect is a national programme and we expect all areas to play their part.
"We have had many successes but we recognise we have a long way to go to drive this problem from our towns and cities.""We have had many successes but we recognise we have a long way to go to drive this problem from our towns and cities."
'Real action''Real action'
"There are no more excuses for local services not to take action to create stronger, safer communities.""There are no more excuses for local services not to take action to create stronger, safer communities."
Government figures show a 90% increase in acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs), with more than 18,000 used over the last three years.Government figures show a 90% increase in acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs), with more than 18,000 used over the last three years.
The Home Office said the 40 respect areas were not the worst in England and Wales for anti-social behaviour but had been chosen from a longer list of those with significant challenges.The Home Office said the 40 respect areas were not the worst in England and Wales for anti-social behaviour but had been chosen from a longer list of those with significant challenges.
Shadow police minister Nick Herbert said: "The government has cut 4,000 promised police community support officers from the forces covering these so-called 'respect areas'.Shadow police minister Nick Herbert said: "The government has cut 4,000 promised police community support officers from the forces covering these so-called 'respect areas'.
"Communities don't want gimmicks like 'respect handbooks' - they want police officers on their streets to take real action against anti-social behaviour."Communities don't want gimmicks like 'respect handbooks' - they want police officers on their streets to take real action against anti-social behaviour.
"Today's announcement conspicuously omits any reference to Asbos - hardly surprising when over half are breached and teenagers now treat them as a badge of honour.""Today's announcement conspicuously omits any reference to Asbos - hardly surprising when over half are breached and teenagers now treat them as a badge of honour."
The 40 respect zones are:The 40 respect zones are:
Birmingham City Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackpool Council, Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, Bristol City Council, Burnley Borough Council, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, Coventry City Council, Derby City Council, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, Exeter City Council, Gloucester City Council, Harlow District Council, Hastings Borough Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Kingston upon Hull City Council, Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Leeds City Council, Leicester City Council, Liverpool City Council, Manchester City Council, Middlesbrough Council, Newcastle City Council, Norwich City Council, Nottingham City Council, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Plymouth City Council, Portsmouth City Council, Salford City Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Sheffield City Council, South Tyneside Council, Southampton City Council, Southend on Sea Borough Council, Sunderland City Council, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.Birmingham City Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackpool Council, Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, Bristol City Council, Burnley Borough Council, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, Coventry City Council, Derby City Council, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, Exeter City Council, Gloucester City Council, Harlow District Council, Hastings Borough Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Kingston upon Hull City Council, Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Leeds City Council, Leicester City Council, Liverpool City Council, Manchester City Council, Middlesbrough Council, Newcastle City Council, Norwich City Council, Nottingham City Council, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Plymouth City Council, Portsmouth City Council, Salford City Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Sheffield City Council, South Tyneside Council, Southampton City Council, Southend on Sea Borough Council, Sunderland City Council, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.
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