Labour to Introduce 'Respect Orders' as Part of Street Crime Crackdown

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Labour has unveiled a new policy aimed at tackling street crime, set to take effect in 2025, which will introduce "respect orders" to curb anti-social behavior in town centres. The move is part of a broader effort to address what the party describes as street crime "corroding the fabric of our communities." The plan will be officially presented by the Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, at Labour's upcoming conference in Liverpool.

 

The "respect orders" are designed to target individuals responsible for persistent anti-social behavior, such as habitual street drinkers, drug users, and shoplifters. These offenders will face restrictions that ban them from town centres. "Respect orders" will be issued by a civil court to expedite the process, but violating the order will constitute a criminal offence. The rollout of these orders will be phased in, beginning in 2025.

 

Yvette Cooper is expected to emphasize how the policy aims to make town centres safer for all. “This sort of behaviour is corroding the fabric of our communities," she will say, referring to the damage caused by habitual offenders to public spaces. By targeting the most prolific offenders, Labour hopes to restore a sense of security to urban areas affected by street crime.

 

In addition to the respect orders, Labour plans to introduce a range of complementary measures designed to address the growing concerns around public safety. One such proposal is allowing the police to seize and destroy dangerous off-road bikes without the need for a prior warning, a change that will streamline the current system and provide police with greater power to act swiftly. The introduction of this measure aims to tackle the rise in incidents involving reckless and illegal off-road biking, which has been a growing problem in certain regions.

 

Another significant reform that will be put forward is the creation of a new standalone offence for assaults against shop workers. This move comes in response to a spike in violent incidents faced by retail employees, often linked to shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. The proposal reflects Labour’s focus on protecting essential workers who have increasingly found themselves on the front lines of such encounters.

 

Labour’s new initiatives reflect a broader effort to address public dissatisfaction with law and order policies and come at a time when concerns about street crime, particularly in urban centres, are growing. The hope is that these measures will offer tangible improvements in the daily lives of people who frequent town centres and help restore public confidence in law enforcement.

 

With respect orders, increased police powers, and new protections for workers, Labour is positioning itself as the party determined to address anti-social behaviour and street crime head-on. These plans aim to send a clear message that offenders will face consequences, while the safety and wellbeing of communities will take priority in public policy.

 

Based on a report from: Sky News 2024-09-25