§ 17. Mr. MudieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about procedures to deal with criminal neighbours. [36522]
§ Mr. MacleanThe investigation of criminal offences is an operational matter for chief officers of police. The Government encourage the police to work in partnership with local authorities and other organisations to tackle crime and prevent nuisance.
§ Mr. MudieThe Minister will be aware of the great inconvenience that is caused to people who have anti-social neighbours. Is it good enough for the Minister to offer the same old excuse about operational matters? 477 When can we expect him to deliver some policies to help these individuals who are experiencing such trouble with anti-social neighbours?
§ Mr. MacleanSerious anti-social behaviour such as racial harassment, witness intimidation, threatening behaviour and assault are already the subject of criminal offences. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 introduced new provisions to deal with witness intimidation and intentional harassment. Those were provisions that the Labour party thought about carefully before deciding to abstain. We have introduced policies and the Opposition have abstained.