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Critics silent as ‘stocktake’ backs Asbos
Bans praised for cutting crime
LIBERAL Democrats have been accused of backtracking on crime policy after spending nearly nine months reviewing the Town Hall’s anti-social behaviour strategy before finally agreeing that Asbos are working after all.
The review – a “stocktake” of everything Camden has done to stop nuisance behaviour – was published with no recommendations to slow down the council’s prolific use of the court banning orders. Instead, the final findings credit Asbos for helping to reduce crime in King’s Cross.
Labour rivals were this week reminding the council’s Lib Dem community safety chief Councillor Ben Rawlings of his comments in June last year that Asbos had been handed out in a “thoughtless and slapdash way” in Camden. On his campaign website, the 25-year-old added: “From poorly thought out, inconsistent and irresponsible Asbos to oppressive curfews and the nonsensical ‘respect agenda’, Labour is criminalising and demonising the younger generation.”
Camden under Labour made prolific use of Asbos, a key plank of government crime policy, and obtained more than 250 in four years.
But they regularly drew criticism from Liberal Democrats, who ordered the review soon after coming to power in a partnership agreement with the Conservatives.
The findings said: “It is clear from this review that Camden Council and its partners have a well-deserved national reputation for their work to tackle anti-social behaviour. More importantly, residents recognise and value the work that has been done to tackle the anti-social behaviour that has damaged their quality of life.”
Cllr Rawlings insisted: “It is not a change of direction for the Lib Dems. We have not said we are opposed to Asbos – just that Asbos are not the only measure that can be used. We were looking here at a whole range of measures.”
The review, which the Town Hall has not costed in financial terms, involved experts from across the country and interviews with Camden’s service providers.
The council line is that Camden was right to embark on a review of policies and that other local authorities were likely to follow suit.
Conservative leader Councillor Andrew Marshall has talked up plans to introduce a football-style yellow and red card system for unruly council tenants, which could ultimately lead to evictions. Camden will also make it easier for residents to report bad behaviour anonymously.
But Tory backbenchers expecting a tough action plan to tackle crime have been left disappointed with the findings. Conservative councillor Chris Philp said: “It is now time to stop reviewing and take action. This review basically recommends another review.”
Other rank-and-file members are understood to have made it clear to the party’s leadership they are dissatisfied with the outcome.
Labour leader Councillor Anna Stewart said: “We are delighted the Lib Dems have had to eat their words over this. The evidence from tenants and residents all along was that Asbos were working. We are just disappointed it has taken such a long time to come to this conclusion and at considerable cost to the council tax payer.”
The review will be discussed at the Town Hall next week.
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