Enough is enough, antisocial behaviour can no longer be dismissed as just a nuisance

Antisocial behaviour is not just a nuisance but making communities up and down the country feel unsafe and neighbourhoods unwelcoming.

There is an obvious impact on the quality of life for many people who have to put up with the scourge of antisocial behaviour. But there is also an economic impact as a result of this.

It makes Britain’s towns and city centres less attractive places for visitors. Local residents fear venturing out because they feel intimidated. And as a result local businesses suffer.

The Government is right to set its sights on this issue with new Respect Orders coming into force across England and Wales.

Perpetrators of antisocial behaviour could be hit with tougher restrictions like curfews or bans from town centres as part of the new orders, which will allow police, councils, housing associations and transport networks to take stronger enforcement action.

Policing minister Sarah Jones rightly says “antisocial behaviour is pernicious. We shouldn’t tolerate it, we shouldn’t accept it.”

Images of balaclava-clad young men running amok in an intimidating manner across the country this summer, were representative of a much deeper malaise when it comes to law and order.

The shortage of prison capacity, the backlog in the court system and criminality on the doorstep of communities is a real problem.

While Respect Orders are to be welcomed, antisocial behaviour could be nipped in the bud by ensuring there is a much more visible policing presence in towns and city centres.

Police officers do an outstanding job in the most testing of circumstances and they should be given whatever tools they need to make communities feel safer.