Oral Answers to Questions

Gordon Henderson Excerpts

Monday 19th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We have been somewhat delayed by the length of ministerial replies, but I am interested in hearing Back Benchers, so we will now hear Mr Gordon Henderson.

[Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Con)]

13. What discussions she has had with police officers on the powers they need to deal with repeated antisocial behaviour in residential areas.

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May)]

We have had extensive discussions with the police and other front-line professionals on our proposals for simpler and more effective powers. Many recognise the need to improve the services to victims of persistent antisocial behaviour and we will work with a number of forces and their partners to trial our proposed community trigger this year.

[Gordon Henderson]

I thank my right hon. Friend for her answer. What are the Government doing to speed up the lengthy bureaucratic process they inherited so that local communities can combat antisocial behaviour faster and more effectively?

[Mrs May]

We consulted on replacing 18 of the existing powers with six new ones, but I am concerned about stories of victims reporting problems and not getting any action. Community trigger will give people the opportunity to ensure that action is taken by the police or other agencies, and we will work with a number of leading local areas, including Manchester and West Lindsey, to pilot the trigger this year, offering a better service to victims and communities.