§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made and what further action is planned in respect of measures to enforce zero tolerance of criminal activity. [26483]
§ Mr. Michael"Zero tolerance" policing is one of the tactics available to the police to tackle criminal activity. Many forces have adopted effective strategies to tackle those local crime and disorder problems which impact on the quality of life of their local communities. We have given our full support to such strategies, whether they operate under the term "zero tolerance" or not. The findings of the Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary thematic inspection report on police community and race relations, published in October 1997, showed that there is strong support for policing which involves effective targeted action on quality of life issues.
Our key objectives for policing in 1998–99 include tackling local problems of crime and disorder in partnership with local authorities, other local agencies and the public.
The Home Office Police Research Group is conducting an evaluation of the range of approaches to counter anti-social behaviour, with a view to developing a key objective on anti-social behaviour for 1999–2000.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary is carrying out a thematic inspection of the policing of disorder.
In June, as part of the United Kingdom Presidency, the Home Office will host a seminar which will consider different approaches to policing anti-social behaviour across the European Union, among other issues.
We are also taking steps to tighten the law in a number of areas. The Crime and Disorder Bill will ensure the criminal justice system is better equipped to deal with anti-social and disorderly behaviour, including petty criminality amongst young offenders. First, anti-social behaviour orders will provide protection from harassment and neighbourhood disorder. They will prohibit specified conduct and may be made on anyone over the age of ten. If their terms are breached, criminal sanctions will be available. Second, joint responsibilities will be placed on the police and local authorities in every area to work in partnership with other agencies and in consultation with the local community to develop and implement strategies to reduce crime and disorder. Third, the Bill includes a range of measures to prevent and tackle youth crime, including powers for local authorities to establish night-time curfews on children 717W under ten and a statutory police reprimand and warning scheme to replace cautioning for youngsters and ensure a swift, effective response to their offending.