The government has launched new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in local communities.

Lambeth has been allocated an additional fund of £54,000 to train front-line staff, empower local residents and fund local action to build on the successful fight against anti-social behaviour. Across the country, an extra £10 million is being invested.

Since Labour introduced tools such as anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) the majority of offenders have ceased their activity after one intervention. This combined with the general perception of anti-social behaviour as a local problem falling significantly since 2003 demonstrates the benefits to Streatham of Labour’s approach to law and order.

The new measures include:

- The training of community champions so that they can shape local decision making and challenge officials so that no problem is ignored;

- Training and equipping front-line staff to take faster and more effective action;

- A dedicated Housing Anti-social Behaviour Action Squad providing expert help and solutions for landlords.

- Empowering local residents with the information and tools required to report and tackle anti-social behaviour, for example ensuring that tenants are equipped to challenge social landlords, councils and police;

- Tools and guidance for social landlords along with a Respect Standard that they have to live up to;

- Small scale funding for local action such as environmental clean ups to deal with fly-tipping.

Labour’s approach is in stark contrast to that of the Tories who have constantly voted against tougher sentences and more effective police powers. Despite the impact of gun crime in communities across London they have previously voted against the banning of handguns and five year minimum sentences for carrying an illegal gun.

The Lib Dems have repeatedly tried to obstruct Labour’s measures on crime, voting against the successful Anti-social Behaviour Act along with extended police and local authority powers. These actions brought in parenting contracts which have reinforced positive behaviour and helped remove anti-social behaviour. Lib Dem run councils have a track record of being slow to tackle anti-social behaviour and to use the powers that the Labour government has given them.

That every British citizen is now less likely to be a victim of crime than at any other time in the last 25 years is a testament to Labour’s success on law and order.