Transcript of Louise Casey webchat
Louise Casey answered questions on Respect in a Downing Street webchat.
As this was typed in "real time" it includes spelling errors.
Read the transcript
Moderator says: This web chat will now start at 1500 GMT on Tuesday 17 January, you can send your questions in advance by using the box below. Come back shortly before the web chat is due to start.
Louise says:Louise Casey will be online to answer your questions very shortly
Keeley Saunders:I live in Beckenham, Kent. From Thursday night to early Sunday morning there is always a large collection of drunk people congregated around the bars, pubs and club at the main station. Beckenham has only got a part-time Police station and yet more bars are being allowed to have late night / early morning licences.
Now that ASBOs and other such measures are being used effectively in areas which have previously been out-of-control, will the focus be shifted to normal suburban areas which have increasingly violent problems, before these areas too become unmanageable?
Louise replies: I understand the distress caused by drunk people in all areas of the country. The Licensing Act is being kept under close scrutiny to make sure that everywhere whether it is suburban or town centre do not have thes esorts of problems. Places like Beckenham are getting the support from Kent police and others but we need to keep under close review.
John Dale:I understand that the paln to create safe zones for prostitutes has been shelved. This appears to be a complete reversal of policy and against what the citizens of Bristol who live in the red light zone have been supporting. This appears to be another case of Tony Blair NOT listening to the people directly involved but being swayed by the Police who, despite a number of years of what they call zero tolerance (With up to 20 police being used each night), have not impacted on the issue at all. In fact there are people who feel it has increased. A tolerance Zone on a industrial estate would solve many issues, helping the girls, reducing crime on the estate and freeing up the residential areas from this type of thing. The girls, men and RESIDENTS have supported this idea and the council also have some support for it but of course not the Police. I have always been a labour party supporter but this is another case of you not listening. What are you going to do to help all parties?
Louise replies:Government published its review about prostitues that tries to walk the balance that tries to ensure that residents can live without the problems associated with kerb crawlers and prostitutes ruining their areas but also not sanctioning the lifestyle as a proper way for people to live their lives. The strategy will get much tougher with kerb crawlers and pimps, give greater help to prostitutes to change theor lives and especially to give children the chance never to get involve. We have listened and that is relected we hop in the strategy today.
maureen west:I am chairperson of barnet boroughwatch at colingdale police. I would like to know weather you all have your head in the sand when it comes to crime . Old people being attact in there own homes, in the street, why becouse there is no one to stop the bad guys anymore. the police do not want to know and way should they ,the police catch them they have to hours of paper work only to have the courts slap thier hands and send them home to do it all again. you have know idear what is going on out sid e your own world .Start putting them away for years not day and then we will get some were. So what are you going to do. we do not have police standing at our old peoples doors like you have .?
Louise replies:Maureen. Well done on giving up the time to be the chairperson of Borough Watch. As Hazel Blears has made clear, we are determined to reduce police bureacracy and progress is being made. There are more police officers on the streets at any time than ever before and by April 2007 every ward in London will have a dedicated neighbourhood police team. where these police teams are happening the public feel reassured and most importantly the crime that bothers them is coming down.
Jimmy Devlin:Louise, empowering communities and fully supporting tenants and residents associations to fight ASB and criminal behaviour is the best way of ensuring that the Respect message is delivered into the heart of the community and everybody will stand as one and demand respect . The problem minority will then be forced to alter their attitude and behaviour or else they will become isolated very quickly. Return power to the decent majority. Zero Tolerance and harsher sentences would be a good starting point.. Too often they are given far too many chances . They need a real shock to turn them away from crime/ASB. Families , schools and the community all have their part to play but if local people don't take a stand and demand change , nothing will deter future ASB etc.
Louise replies:Jimmy. Thanks for this. I agree everyone has to stand together. The Respect Action plan makes clear that we need to tackle with new tough measures the minority of people who don't play by the rules. The intensive family projects will be the last chance for these problem families to change their behaviour or they will face eviction, possibly benefit sanctions and more. We know though that where these problem people are given a clear message that they have to change and they cannot get away with it, they change. The most important point you make is that communities have to stand together.
Nick Gulliford:Does it not show some respect for your audience to appear on time?
Louise replies:Nick. Fair cop. Downing Street had a power cut apparently... they called it technical challenges. I can only apologise but I'm here now!
thomas muirhead:How does imposing fines and other punishments fit with an agenda of respect? Isn't it an agenda of fear?
Louise replies:Thomas. People need to know that there are rules in decent societies and if you break those rules you face consequences. We can only have liberty and live without fear if we are secure in the knowldge that rules are there to make us safe.
Dave:Why is Respect important to you?
Louise replies:The Respect programme is about making sure that some of the most poor and vulnerable citizens get a better deal. For me it is an issue of social justice. No-one can learn in a classroom with constant disruption, in a home where violence is the norm or in a community where litter, grafitti, harrasment are part of their day to day lives. And for all of us, daily encounters that show consideration make our lives better.
Jonathan Whitney:It is great that police numbers are up,but what specifically has gone wrong to necessitate increase of police?
Louise replies:Most people in the country seem to welcome the increase in police numbers and I don't think it is about something going wrong but actually a recognition that as a society we need a generation of 'new enforcers' to ensure that the rules and boundaries that we have within society are upheld. Many people feel that the broad economic and social trends have made changes to family and community structures which in turn may mean that the influence of the church, other faith organsiations, extended family etc have not really been replaced. To meet this challenge in the 21st century we need to make sure that parents are able to feel confident to bring their kids up well, that schools restore discipline and reespect and that the community is able to sort itself out as much as possible. Part of al of this is increased numbers of police officers, community support officers, park keepers etc
Tony Cranwell:Well said Louise, but assuming Parents are part ot the problem, how do you intended to leagl enforce parent classes?
Louise replies:Firstly Tony we know that most parents when made to see that they have problems (e.g when called to the local police station to pick up their kid) they take help. So in most cases enforcement isn't really needed but we introduced Parenting Orders that forces parents into class and again they work.
Darren Wyn Rees:I live in a community that faces the problem of off-road motorbike users illegally racing through densely populated residential areas. Most of the motorbike users are children who are uninsured and have received no training. Will your Government look at measures to ensure that the sale of these motorbikes for minors faces tougher regulations ?
Louise replies:I think these bikes are a real menace and where the police seize them and crush them in public the children and their parents have second thoughts about making people's lives a misery. The police have the powers and areas like Southend and others are leading the way. Put pressure on your local area to look on Southend-on Sea's website.
Jo Cowap:I sent in a question when i thought the web chat was going to take place a week ago. Louise - I am an anti social behaviour professional and am in the process of setting up my own business providing an out of hours and witness support service due to a high volume of ASB incidents being perpetrated outside of office working hours. Many residents in the communities where ASB is being perpetrated are too fearful to take that stand - what are your veiws on the victim/witness centred approach to tackling ASB? whatworks.org.uk
Louise replies:Jo good luck with the business. Firstly al around the country people are now coming forward and taking a stand. LA's and others are able to take calls outside office hours especially areas that have been involved with our previous campaign. Secondly we know that where people take a stand and everyone knows about it through the local papers or leaflets, then more people come forward. Please publicise all your work. The more people know the more people will come forward, the more victims and witness are winning. Finally, why don't you take a look at www.takingastand.org.uk
Stephen Jackson:Louise, other similar initiatives in the past have been backed up by on-the-spot fine systems and ASBOs; the first failed as a deterrent and the latter have become trophies among the anti-social element. What assurances can you give that the Respect Action Plan will be made more effective in this way?
Louise replies:17,000 people have now had on-the-spot fines. I've seen them issued and seen the shock on the face of someone who thought it was okay to urinate in the high street and was fined on-the-spot. I don't think he'll be doing it again. Secondly Asbo's - there is no evidence that they have become trophies and where they have been issued they often change the behaviour of the person but most importantly they get a clear message out to the community that this behaviour will not be tolerated. Over all though the Respect Action Plan is about getting at the causes of these problems, helping parents, helping teachers and helping communities know what they can do to tackle the problem before they arise.
Tony Cranwell:Sorry Louise, but we beg to differ with regard to parents accepting things as wrong when hi-lighted to them. On many occassions we have parents showing little or no intererest in either wanting to interact with us when their child acts up (severely), or carryout theor own discipline their, question is of course how can they with the current restrictions on parents, teachers and the police to create immediate and meaningful punishment?
Louise replies:Tony- don't know where you work or what the 'we' stands for but the Youth Justice Board have been doing parenting classes for people on orders for some time and they show that over half of the parents who were on orders and attended classes said it was the best thing they had done. There are plenty of ways for parents, teachers and the courts to both punish and rehabilitate people. My main concern in relation to parenting is to ensure that we help parents before their children end up in serious and severe difficulty. better for them, bettre for the community.
Brian Baitup:I've submitted two questions, one in advance and one at the start of this web chat. There seems to be a lot of moderating and very little question answering.
Moderator replies:Brian - we've had a huge response to the web chat and Louise is answering as many questions as she can today.
Debra Gale:From 29/10-the end of November, we were plagued by fireworks and bangers from 5pm-10pm nightly. It drove us mad and compromised our quality of life. Is it realy necessary to sell fireworks year round?
Louise replies:The shame here is most people use fireworks well and don't plague people. It would be a shame if we stopped the sale of fireworks just because some people ruin everyone else's life. This year for the first time we stopped the sale of the noisiest bangers completely (all year round), we introduced curfews after 11pm so that people weren't disturbed, and introduced fixed penalty notices for firework offences. There is Feedback from many areas that these are working. We will need to see whether more people feel the way you do between the hours of 5pm to 10pm before we take further action
Brian Baitup:Louse, with regard to your reply to Jimmy Devlin, the big problem with standing up to Anti Social elements is that you get no support. Police DO NOT patrol most housing estates, take hours to repond when called and have no idea about the gangs on these estates. Meanwhile the little heroes are breaking your windows and damaging your car. But let one of us take physical retribution and the police suddenly have time to act against US. Do you have any idea what it is like to go off to work in the morning leaving your wife terrified in her own home, KNOWING that if something happens the police will not come in time to help?
Louise replies:Brian - it sounds to me like you're having a really tough time and we'd like to see if your local police or LA are doing all they can to help you. If you have brought up these problems with them and feel that nothing is happening then take it further. No-one should be afraid in their own home. You clearly have internet access. Look up www.together.gov.uk. Find the name of your local co-ordinator and contact them.
Steve Evans:Louise, what were you expecting to achieve from this webchat?
Louise replies:Steve, I really like hearing directly from the public. I do loads of public meetings and even though I'm used to a name and a face rather than the internet I thought this was a really worthwhile thing to do. It's okay for us to sit in Whitehall publishing these documents but it's much more important for us to to listen to the public and make sure the words translate into action.
Edgar Neufeld:Hi Louise,
it is a long time since Shelter!
I am concerned that ASBOs will extend to people who are merely eccentric and do things that their neighbours merely dislike, but cause no real harm. How will this be controlled?
regards,
Edgar
Louise replies:Edgar, lovely to hear from you. This gives me a great oportunity to kill a myth that really annoys me! In order to get an Asbo you have to, and this has to be proven in a court of law, behave in a way on a persistent basis that causes is alarm, harrasment and distress. All Asbos are defended in court and qualify for legal aid which means they are not there to deal with people's dislikes but they are there to protect the community.
Philippa:Hello Louise, the reason as to why so many of these young people (i am only 19 myself however) are out on the street is because they have no where alse to go. I propse an idea to you. That you start putting money into these kids, intead of taking it away. My belief is to maybe take some of those desolate buildings that we seem to have quite a few of and creating 'night clubs' for the young people. A nice place, that is similar to a pub with decent music where they can just hang out - but without serving alcohol, just a different aray of non alcoholic cocktails etc. a place where they can just hang out with thier mates, off the street. Of course there will be some abuse, but there is similar abuse in pubs with drug taking, yet the police force and pub owners are luckily cracking down on it. Anyways, just something to think about. Philippa
Louise replies:Philippa, in the respect Action Plan we are clear that we need to improve the constructive and purposeful activities for young people and I accept that in some areas there may not be enough for them to do. I also like your ideas of creating non-alcoholic pubs/nightclubs for young people and this has been done in some areas. But look Philippa the type of behaviour that I worry about isn't about kids hanging around, it's when people are throwing stones, when they spit and yell at other young people let alone old aged pensioners and that is just the minor end. Absolutely nothing will ever excuse throwing a stone at an old aged pensioner walking down the street or not allowing a single mum to get in a shop without hassling her to buy them alcohol or taking over a toddler's playground to start fires. And it is such a shame because the vast majority of young people don't behave this way and get everybody else a bad name.
Moderator says:We have had such a great response to this web chat, Louise will stay online for as long as she can to answer as many of your questions as she can.
pauline:My parents (both pensioners) have been having major problems with their anti-social neighbours for over seven years. as my father is registered disabled and housebound now , moving house for them is not an option due to the cost of refitting lifting equipment, grab rails etc they feel like prisoners in their own home. the council are aware of the situation but because others in the street have not complained (but have in other streets) they will not issue anti-social behaviour orders, or move the family elsewhere.
what can my parents do?
Louise replies:Pauline this can be a common situation. My guess is that other people in the street are frightened and not able to come forward. The police and the LA can take action against the perpetrators just on the evidence (diaries, statements, video evidence etc) that your parents may have and actually they can also give evidence for your parents in court using the hearsay rules. It's not acceptable for your elderly parenst to have to move - can i suggest that you log onto the www.together.gov.uk website, search for the named co-ordinator in your parents' area and write to them directly. i would also recommend sending a note to your local councillor and MP as they have a responsibility to help in these situations. The main thing is do';t give up and don't let your parents be forced into moving.
Matthew Knowles:The Federation of Small Businesses is keen to ensure that its 190,000 plus members will be involved in the respect agenda. Specifically, will the regular meetings between the police and the community that the Prime Minister has proposed include small business representatives? Petty theft and vandalism are a real barrier to growth for small firms so this is a key issue for many of our members.
Louise replies:Hello Mathew. The proposed Face the People sessions will be open to anyone and I think it is a very good forum for small businesses to be involved in.
Phyllis Douglas:Will these laws/rules/regulations apply to the UK as a whole or England only?
Louise replies:The Respect Action Plan covers England and Wales. While the Scottish Executive is responsible for these issues in Scotland directly we work very closely together.
Adam:Louise, I was always told when growing up that respect is something you earn and not a given right! While i support the respect campaign, (because it is obvious that things are getting out of control), i believe it must work both ways. How do you intend to intend to gain the respect of young people? Adam.
Louise replies:Adam, one of the things that I think is interesting is that the media seem to always portray anti-social behaviour as a youth issue when it isn't. The Respect Action Plan and indeed our slogan is Give respect, Get Respect and I only hope people read the actual plan as it isn't about picthing young vs old or old vs young but that recognising that almost everyone of any age group understands what respect is and wants to give it and get it. Specifically to young people, I think we need to respect them by being clear that they aren't the single issue, that the majority play by the rules and indeed many are on the receiving end. You can read tghe full plan at www.respect.gov.uk
Tom Tallontire:Having been a Police officer for 26years plus, but retired now.,My son is a current serving officer,it makes me totally exasperated to find all these fine suggestion come to nothing because,it is fine making laws but enforcing them is a different issue.There are fewer officers on the beat than ever before.Most of the departments in being when I served ,have now been closed down or taken over civillian personnel. Also there is no public confidence in the magistrates court ay more. We are fortunately living in a good location and have very little trouble with unruly behaviour although at our age we are very reluctant to venture out at night. Street officers in numbers are by far the best deterent ever. The initial job of Police officer was to protect life and property as well as being a deterant. This no longer exists much to the digust of our generation.
SincerelThTll@ AOL.com
Louise replies:Tom, there are now more police officers than at any time in post-war history. In addition the government has introduced the police community support officers. There are already 6,000 pcso's in post and this will rise to 24,000 by 2008 and as such will be a huge deterrent and reassurance to the public. But I do feel that it isn't just about police numbers. Your concerns go wider and that is right. The Respect Action Plan outlines ways for the police and LA's to be much more connected with their communities so that the public know what is going on and what is happening. Crime is coming down and the public need to know how and why and they need to hear that from their own local police and LA.
Helen:ASBO's and parenting orders are shutting the door after the horse has bolted: Should the medai/films not glorify law and order instead of violence and crime. It has been shown in scientific testing that children brought up on a diet of violent films and computer games will have a greater tendency towards violence etc. Should we not be looking at ways to prevent wrongful behaviour starting, not correcting behaviour once it has begun?
Louise replies:Helen, I understand your concerns and while regulation has a role here, key for me is what parents allow their children to watch on TV, DVD and video games. This is why more widely we need to give parents the tools they need in order to bring up their kids properly.
gabbiejohnson:What do you propose should happen when the families who have their housing benefit cut are made homeless as a result? Or when they evict families for ASB? This seems to be a very short term solution and very rarely does this kind of action encourage stability and decent behaviour.
Louise replies:Gabbie, as the Respect Action Plan makes clear tool such as eviction should be used as a matter of last resort. We are setting up a network of family support projects precisely to encourage stability and decent behaviour and before anyone is facing eviction they are offered help to modify their behaviour. Our strategy is clear - we must offer help at all times but the deal is people must accept that help and change their behaviour. If they don't they face consequences because their behaviour ruins the lives of many other people.
thomas muirhead:What evidence is there, apart from a general feeling (nostalgia) that life was better before, is there that the state of 'respect' is worthy of particular focus? Have there been studies? Are there statistics that show this?
Louise replies:Thomas, what is interesting is that the Mori study showed that the vast majority of the public knew what respect was, they understood what it means and what giving consideration to each other is all about. I feel very strongly though that this isn't harking back to some world based on deferrence and 'tugging the furlock' . It is highly unliklley that I would have this job if we were in 1950 and many other people like me enjoy opportunities and a life that my parebnst could only have dreamt of. But we must create a culture based on shared responsibility for each other, less thought about the individual and more thought about the community.
Brian Wheeler:Why does the government need an anti-social behaviour unit and a Respect task force? Brian Wheeler, BBC News website.
Louise replies:Brian, the public's concern about the issues in relation to both anti-social behaviour and now Respect are well documented. Government is responding to those concerns but also it is an issue of social justice. People living in deprived areas are disproportionately affected by anti-social behaviour and often feel least able to do something about it.
Dave Weeden:Louise, you said in your reply to Thomas Muirhead, "But we must create a culture based on shared responsibility for each other, less thought about the individual and more thought about the community." Why?
Louise replies:because the community matters. We have a collective responsibility for vulnerable people, collective responsibility for people who don't play by the rules and collective responsibilty to each other to create a society that is more considerate. When everyone does that we all as individuals benefit.
Louise says:Thank you everyone for taking part - I'm sorry I could not answer all the questions but I've tried to cover off the main subjects. I'd be happy to come back when I can ( and if they let me!)
As I said in the answer to a question above - it's important that we are accountable to the public - that's those of you who took the time to do this. Promoting respect and tackling anti-social behaviour is not something the Government can do or solve alone. It can provide the tools, the moneyand the know how but at the end of the day - it's about all of us standing together for what we believe in.
A country where most try to do our best, bring up our families well and enjoy life as best we can. My parents would have been astounded by some of the wealth and choices that many of us have - but we can't walk away from those who don't enjoy those choices. That is why Respect is so important - safety and peace are the bedrock of our lives. So please help us do this - and do it together.
Mark Hanna:Good session well done.
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