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New drive to combat bad behaviour Bad behaviour crackdown promised
(31 minutes later)
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has unveiled plans to combat low-level anti-social behaviour before it turns into more serious crime.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has unveiled plans to combat low-level anti-social behaviour before it turns into more serious crime.
The number of "acceptable behaviour contracts" (ABCs) would be increased to up to four times the 25,000 currently in place, she told the Daily Mirror. The number of "acceptable behaviour contracts" (ABCs) would be increased to up to four times the 25,000 currently in place, she said.
Ms Smith told BBC News the move would "nip in the bud" the disorder "which blights people's lives in communities".Ms Smith told BBC News the move would "nip in the bud" the disorder "which blights people's lives in communities".
ABCs are pledges made by individuals to the police to stop misbehaving.ABCs are pledges made by individuals to the police to stop misbehaving.
The contracts are beginning to have an impact on nipping that behaviour in the bud and helping people to feel safe Jacqui Smith Ms Smith also said the government was investigating the link between cheap alcohol and anti-social behaviour.
"Whilst it [anti-social behaviour] might not make people feel unsafe it makes them, perhaps, not want to be out and about in their communities," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have already started work with the Department of Health, looking at what the impact is of pricing and the way drink is promoted."
"That is why today I'm talking to local authorities and others about what more they can do to use the acceptable behaviour contracts of which we've already had 25,000. I'd like to see judges and magistrates tell a 15-year-old boy convicted of buying alcohol or causing a disturbance, that the next time he appears in court he'll have his driving licence delayed David Cameron Conservative leader
"The contracts are beginning to have an impact on nipping that behaviour in the bud and helping people to feel safe." The home secretary added: "There are two issues here. One: We do need to know whether or not price and promotion is impacting on alcohol misuse.
She told the Mirror the contracts were "about making people stand up to their responsibilities" as well as keeping children off the street. "Two: We need to stop young people from getting hold of drink.
"It's not about being macho. It's about making sure that hard-working and law-abiding families can live their lives properly. "We have had some success already in tackling those, frankly dodgy, off-licences selling kids drink."
"I want people to know I'm serious when I say that where there is violent crime we'll take tough action. We're making progress against anti-social behaviour." Ms Smith said she would be encouraging local authorities to use more anti-social behaviour contracts.
'Great news''Great news'
ABCs are written, voluntary agreements between a person involved in anti-social behaviour and the police and local services.ABCs are written, voluntary agreements between a person involved in anti-social behaviour and the police and local services.
They involve an acknowledgment from the individual that their behaviour is having a negative impact on a community and an agreement to stop the behaviour.They involve an acknowledgment from the individual that their behaviour is having a negative impact on a community and an agreement to stop the behaviour.
They can also involve pledges to complete positive activities such as attending school or drug misuse support groups.They can also involve pledges to complete positive activities such as attending school or drug misuse support groups.
Chief Constable Mike Goodwin, who is the Association of Chief Police Officers' lead member on anti-social behaviour, said ABCs had proved effective.Chief Constable Mike Goodwin, who is the Association of Chief Police Officers' lead member on anti-social behaviour, said ABCs had proved effective.
He said: "Police, working together with local authority and youth justice partners have found that, in many cases where ABCs have been issued, offending will stop without recourse to legal remedies.He said: "Police, working together with local authority and youth justice partners have found that, in many cases where ABCs have been issued, offending will stop without recourse to legal remedies.
"This is great news for local people whose lives are blighted by anti-social or inconsiderate behaviour.""This is great news for local people whose lives are blighted by anti-social or inconsiderate behaviour."
The government has issued guidance to police and local authorities on how to use ABCs effectively.The government has issued guidance to police and local authorities on how to use ABCs effectively.
Tory plans
On Wednesday, Conservative leader David Cameron unveiled his strategy for combating anti-social behaviour.
Mr Cameron called for a "three-dimensional approach" focusing on strengthening families, freeing police from red tape and giving the courts more powers.
He also suggested young offenders could be barred from obtaining or holding a driving licence.
"I'd like to see judges and magistrates tell a 15-year-old boy convicted of buying alcohol or causing a disturbance, that the next time he appears in court he'll have his driving licence delayed," said the Tory leader.
"And then I'd like that boy to tell his friends what the judge said."