A crackdown on graffiti and vandalism plaguing communities is underway. Leveling Up Secretary Michael Gove is working with the Department of the Interior, Department of Education and Department of Justice on an “anti-social behavior action plan” designed to reduce low crime rates and restore pride in neighborhoods.
The focus on graffiti and vandalism stems from the belief that making derelict areas look like encourages crime.
The main points are expected to be:
● Tougher sentences for people involved in vandalism, graffiti, public drug trafficking or car theft;
● Forcing perpetrators to clean up or repair damage;
● More activities for young people to distract them from crime;
● Faster police responses.
A study by the centre-right think tank Onward warned that the government’s ‘levelling’ policies are faltering as a shocking rise in anti-social behavior has left people in parts of the North and Midlands afraid to venture into high streets or use public transport.
It means businesses are being robbed of customers and people are even turning down job offers for fear of traveling to work.
Employers in Oldham have introduced their own minibus service because female staff don’t feel safe traveling to work on the local tram, Onward found.
Reporting on the findings of a focus group, the think tank said: “Many residents said the tram is simply not safe. Anti-social behavior on the network is high, as are instances of more serious crime.
A focus group in Walsall found that residents are avoiding the town center due to concerns about drug use, illegal dumping and “gang-related crime going unchecked”.
And the UK Government’s Crime Survey for England and Wales found that 35 per cent of people have experienced or witnessed anti-social behavior in the past year.
Police recorded 1,065,844 incidents in the 12 months to October last year.
A government spokesman said: “Making our communities a safer place to live is an important part of our agenda to raise levels.
“And because we know that anti-social behavior can make life difficult for so many, we will soon publish an action plan.
“This will focus on faster justice for victims and tougher sentences for offenders.
“We are already recruiting 20,000 additional agents. Our Safer Streets Fund also invests money in local projects to tackle neighborhood crime and anti-social behaviour.”