40 areas appointed to lead the Respect programme

Today, the Government is establishing new Respect Areas in Birmingham, Sandwell and Coventry which have earned the right to be exemplars of the Respect programme by their strong track record in tackling anti-social behaviour, and a willingness and capacity to do more. The Department for Education and Skills has also backed this by investing a further £6 million for parenting classes in the 40 areas in 2007/2008.

New statistics, also published today, show significant increases in the powers being used by local councils and police to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.  For example, there has been a 90 per cent increase in acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) with more than 18,000 used over the last three years, and 4,000 parenting contracts in the same period – an increase of nearly 250 per cent.

The Government is also publishing a comprehensive Respect Handbook which reinforces the warning that there are no more excuses for local services not to take action and to send the message that it is time for them to ‘face the people’ and be held accountable by their public.

All 40 Respect Areas have signed up to:

• Family Intervention Projects to tackle ‘neighbours from hell’;
• More Parenting Classes for parents struggling with troublesome children;
• Face the People sessions where the police, local authorities and others can be accountable to their local public;
• Keep up the relentless action to tackle anti-social behaviour by using the full range of tools and powers available;
• Using the Respect Housing Standard to prevent and deal with any problems in social housing.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said:

"The key to tackling anti-social behaviour successfully lies in local communities.  Central Government can provide the powers and the resources, as we are, but it is the police, local authorities and local people who have to use them effectively to deliver results.

"Communities know where the problems are - and they now know too how best to use new powers to tackle them.

"We have seen real progress with communities across the country making full use of the powers we have put in place with councils, police, courts and local people working in partnership to make neighbourhoods safer and better places to live.

"We want to extend this good practice across the country and encourage those championing the fight against anti-social behaviour to build on their good work.

"That's the aim of the Respect areas which we are encouraging to go further and faster - and also of the Respect Handbook which shows all authorities just what can be achieved."

The Home Secretary, John Reid said:

“A great deal of action is being taken across the country to tackle the scourge of anti-social behaviour and I am delighted that Birmingham Sandwell and Coventry local authorities have committed to driving forward the Respect programme.

“The new Respect Areas will take public accountability one step further, with regular statutory Face the People sessions where they will be scrutinised by their local community for the work they have done and have yet to do.

“Respect is a national programme and we expect all areas to play their part.  We have had many successes but we recognise we have a long way to go to drive this problem from our towns and cities.  There are no more excuses for local services not to take action to create stronger, safer communities.”

Louise Casey, the Government Coordinator for Respect, said:

“Birmingham, Sandwell and Coventry have earned the right to be champions of the Respect programme but everywhere across the country we are beginning to see progress being made – the uplift in the use of powers in a larger number of areas show that the police and local authorities now have the know how to tackle the problems”.

“The new Respect Handbook also published today will cover everything local councils and police need to know about promoting respect in their areas - it is another tool in their armoury”.

There are just two weeks left for members of the public to submit their nominations for the Respect Awards for Taking A Stand, before nominations close on 31 January 2007.

The awards celebrate the bravery and determination of local people who have taken a stand against anti-social behaviour problems such as vandalism, nuisance neighbours, harassment, intimidation and graffiti.

To nominate someone for a Taking A Stand award call 08080 002030 for a nomination form or log onto www.respect.gov.uk/awards by 31 January 2007.

• The results from the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership survey can be found at www.respect.gov.uk/members.  The survey shows that local agencies are making greater use of the increased tools and powers that the Government has made available to them to tackle anti-social behaviour.
• More information on the tools and powers available to tackle anti-social behaviour can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/anti-social-behaviour/what-is-asb/?version=4.
• The 40 Respect Areas are not the worst areas for anti-social behaviour. They have been chosen from a longer list of areas with significant challenges, where more action is needed. They are areas that have a track record of achievement but more importantly, have shown the commitment and capacity to do much more.
• The Respect Action Plan was published in January 2006 and sets out a framework of powers and approaches to promote respect positively; bear down uncompromisingly on anti-social behaviour and support to local people and local services; tackle its causes and offer leadership and support to local people via the internet at www.respect.gov.uk.  A one year on progress update can also be found on the website.