'We’ll root out anti-social behaviour and make people face the consequences'

Too often, people have tried to tell me that anti-social behaviour is ‘low-level crime’. Anyone who thinks that simply doesn’t get it.

Try telling that to someone scared to walk down their street in the evening, the person trying to get to work who has to put up with a vandalised bus shelter, or a young family who can’t enjoy their local park because of intimidating, drunken or loutish behaviour.

It’s an absolute scandal that so many Mirror readers will know exactly what I’m talking about – a third of people witnessed or experienced anti-social behaviour last year.

When I was this country’s Chief Prosecutor, I saw the terrible effect of anti-social behaviour first hand - and fought for justice for victims. I know it blights our streets, makes people feel less safe, damages small businesses, and undermines any sense of pride in our communities.

In our manifesto, we promised we would tackle anti-social behaviour. Now we’re delivering. This Labour government is cracking down on hooligans who cause misery and wreak havoc. They won’t be able to get away with it anymore.

Today, we are announcing tough new Respect Orders. We’ll root out anti-social behaviour and make people face the consequences of their actions, as well as tackle the root causes.

We’re giving police and councils more power. With our plans, perpetrators will get unlimited fines. Police will be able to seize vehicles, bikes and e-scooters that are dangerous and a public nuisance. Strict community orders and curfews will be handed out. The most serious offenders will face time behind bars. These new orders will be piloted prior to national rollout, to make sure they are as effective as possible.

We’re also bringing back neighbourhood policing, putting thousands more neighbourhood police officers on the street. More bobbies on the beat means that people can be confident that if something goes wrong in their community, the police will come.

This is about restoring respect - for each other and for our society. It’s time to take back our streets.