(2) if he will take steps to make local authorities more accountable to communities when responding to persistent antisocial behaviour and community safety problems.
A key element of the Government’s respect programme is to ensure that all communities see and expect a robust response to antisocial behaviour. We have introduced the necessary tools and powers and expect local authorities to use them where appropriate. This Government have introduced a mandatory antisocial behaviour and respect outcome to all local area agreements (LAAs) to ensure that local authorities monitor and act on public concerns over antisocial behaviour. From April 2007 all areas will be covered by such an agreement. The respect programme is also about empowering the public to hold their leaders to account and have their say about the issues that matter most to them. We will ensure that senior representatives of all crime and disorder reduction partnerships hold regular ‘face the people’ sessions to promote greater accountability and visibility in local services. The Government are committed to introducing a ‘community call for action’, a power that will give local communities a formal way to request and ensure that action is taken by the police, local authorities and others in response to persistent antisocial behaviour or community safety problems, where action is not already being taken.
Mr. Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many antisocial behaviour orders were applied for by (a) each local authority, (b) the police, (c) social landlords and (d) housing action trusts in Dudley since 1 April 1999;
(2) how many (a) criminal antisocial behaviour orders and (b) antisocial behaviour orders have been secured by courts in (i) Dudley and (ii) the West Midlands since the introduction of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.
From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) data were collected by aggregate numbers only by police force area. Since 1 June 2000, from copies of the orders received, we are able to determine the type of applicant for ASBOs issued on application. The number of ASBOs issued on application, as reported to the Home Office by the Courts Service, from 1 June 2000 to 30 September 2005 (latest available), wherein restrictions are imposed in the local government authority area of Dudley metropolitan borough council (MBC) is 15. All were applied for by Dudley MBC.
The Police Reform Act 2002 gave authority to the courts, from 1 December 2002, to issue ASBOs, in addition to the sentence, following conviction of a criminal offence. The available information is given in the table.
Number On application On conviction Total West Midlands 113 340 453 Of which: Dudley MBC 11 15 26 1 Prior to this date ASBOs could be issued at the magistrates court on application only. The Police Reform Act (2002) gave authority to the Crown court and the magistrates court to issue an ASBO following conviction for a criminal offence. For comparison purposes all data given in this table are for the period 1 December 2002 to 30 September 2005.
The respect programme places the emphasis on local agencies to use the tools and powers they have been given to tackle antisocial behaviour and its causes. The Government are determined that people should be confident that their local agencies will respond appropriately to antisocial behaviour. The roll-out Neighbourhood Policing teams and the increase in the number of Police Community Support Officers mean that there are more resources than ever before on the streets to make this happen. This, coupled with new and existing powers, will mean that there is no excuse for inaction.
Through the Respect Academy programme, we are also outlining clearly how important communications, accountability and visibility are for public services in tackling antisocial behaviour. Getting the public to make demands on local agencies for action on antisocial behaviour and disrespect is an important part of sustaining these changes. It is essential that the public feel empowered to play their part in tackling antisocial behaviour through greater awareness of the powers available to them and their local agencies. We want to encourage people to come forward, complain and take a stand. The Respect "Taking A Stand" awards and action days held nationwide will continue to stimulate public debate about acceptable behaviour and inform antisocial behaviour practitioners about local activities. We will also ensure that public services can be held to account and deliver on local priorities by introducing regular and systematic "face the people" briefing sessions, involving senior representation from the police and local authorities. Dudley metropolitan borough council (MBC) has taken a number of steps to ensure that action to tackle antisocial behaviour is well publicised throughout the borough. Dudley Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) publishes and distributes two quarterly newsletters, "Dudley Together" and "Home Affairs" to all households and tenants. The local press also publicises details of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) and dispersal notices and most Dudley MBC Neighbourhood Managers hold local community safety forums to inform the community about initiatives and on-going action to reduce antisocial behaviour.
Information collected centrally for statistical purposes does not identify if an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) recipient is in receipt of housing benefit.