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| Smith plan to 'nip crime in bud' | |
| (about 1 hour 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 said. | 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. |
| Ms Smith also said the government was investigating the link between cheap alcohol and anti-social behaviour. | Ms Smith also said the government was investigating the link between cheap alcohol and anti-social behaviour. |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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 | 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 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. | 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. |
| "Two: We need to stop young people from getting hold of drink. | "Two: We need to stop young people from getting hold of drink. |
| "We have had some success already in tackling those, frankly dodgy, off-licences selling kids drink." | "We have had some success already in tackling those, frankly dodgy, off-licences selling kids drink." |
| Ms Smith said she would be encouraging local authorities to use more acceptable 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 | Tory plans |
| On Wednesday, Conservative leader David Cameron unveiled his strategy for combating anti-social behaviour. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "And then I'd like that boy to tell his friends what the judge said." |