(Lab):...Labour’s
analysis of official statistics found that 13 million adults
across the UK had witnessed antisocial behaviour in the past
year, which is about one in five of us. Meanwhile, the number of
people who say they never see police out on the streets has
doubled. Put simply, people in my community do not feel safe on
the streets, which absolutely should not be the case. Although I
know that South Wales
Police my own local force, is working incredibly
hard to respond to the rise in antisocial behaviour, it is
massively overstretched and the pressures of the pandemic are
only making that situation worse.
When we talk about antisocial behaviour and youth crime, the
focus is often, importantly, on the victims. However, we also
need to consider what is driving antisocial behaviour and what
support is on offer to young people. It is wrong to try to have a
meaningful conversation and debate about antisocial behaviour and
youth crime without considering the impact of the pandemic on
young people.
All of us across the House know that the pandemic and the
measures that were necessary to control the spread of the virus,
including social distancing and school closures, have had an
enormous impact on young people. I have visited schools in my
constituency and heard young people of all ages talk about their
feelings of loneliness and isolation. More and more of them are
struggling with mental health problems.
Criminalising young people is not the solution to this issue. A
multi-agency response is vital in supporting young people, and
particularly important before a young person even has contact
with the police. I would very much like to hear more from the
Minister today about what her Government are doing to foster a
multi-agency approach to tackling youth antisocial behaviour.
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, and when we
talk about antisocial behaviour, I think that a lot of the time
safety is actually what people are concerned about. In debates
such as this, it is possible to be over-zealous in talking about
more criminalisation; what people in my community actually want
is to feel safe and to feel that they are being listened to.
I have to say that South Wales
Police really is doing its best in very difficult
circumstances. Over the last year, my constituents and I have
raised serious concerns about incidents of drag racing, and
specifically the use of modified cars. That has been happening
across the countryside in my area. I recognise the efforts
of South Wales
Police which recently launched Operation Buena in
an attempt to tackle this problem. I have raised this matter with
the Government on multiple occasions. Cars that are modified to
backfire loudly are causing huge worry. Constituents of mine have
compared it to the sound of a shotgun going off; it really can be
terrifying, especially for elderly people. It is vital that steps
are taken to bring an end to these modifications that cause huge
anxiety to people living in the community. People often feel
unable to report such matters to the police, and it is hardly
possible to rush out and take down a number plate when someone is
speeding past. What does the Minister suggest my constituents do?
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