§ 15. Claire WardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further measures he proposes to reduce the incidence of antisocial behaviour. [178167]
§ Ms BlearsWe are committed to tackling antisocial behaviour. In 1998 we introduced antisocial behaviour orders through the Crime and Disorder Act. Further to this the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 provides a further wide range of tools to tackle antisocial behaviour. The Act clarifies, streamlines and reinforces the powers available to practitioners and builds on the measures we have already introduced. It offers the single biggest package of measures to tackle antisocial behaviour.
Further powers to tackle antisocial behaviour in the private rented sector, such as licensing of private sector landlords in areas where there is significant and persistent antisocial behaviour, are being proposed in part 3 of the Housing Bill, currently before Parliament.
We are determined to remove all barriers to local agencies taking action to tackle antisocial behaviour. We will continue to listen to feedback about the powers available and look to legislate where necessary.
§ 19. Lawrie QuinnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to support the gating of alleys to tackle anti-social behaviour. [178171]
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to support the gating of alleys to tackle anti-social behaviour. [178170]
§ Ms BlearsI will, with permission, Mr. Speaker, group this Question and question 19 together.
On 5 March 2004 the Home Office launched Operation Gate it—a new fund of £2.3 million to tackle anti-social behaviour in alleyways. Successful schemes for this year have now been identified and will be announced shortly.
Gating is just one of many solutions to these problems, however, and will not always be appropriate. So, through Gate It, local communities will be able to bid for lighting/landscaping/CCTV funding—as well as gates.