News from East Midlands Labour

Fight against anti-social behaviour gets welcome cash boost

Labour’s Regional Minister for the East Midlands, Phil Hope MP, is urging local councils to make full use of new funding to tackle anti-social behaviour, which has been announced today by Labour’s Communities Secretary John Denham and Housing Minister John Healey.

Northamptonshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Derby, Bolsover and Leicester councils will all receive a share of the £10 million fund which can be used on a variety of measures. This could include measures to ensure local residents know exactly how to report anti-social behaviour, funding for local community action projects and training for front line staff to equip them to deal with anti-social behaviour.

Phil Hope has welcomed the news saying: “Here in the East Midlands we are only too aware of the devastating impact that anti-social behaviour can have on a community and people’s lives. We have already taken major steps forward in tackling anti-social behaviour, but this funding is about making sure support and training goes further and deeper across communities. Tackling not tolerating anti-social behaviour is a top Labour priority.”

Labour’s Communities Secretary, John Denham, added: “Despite what the Tories may want to pretend, Labour has a strong record on tackling ASB, but we know there is always more that can be done. That is why we are committing to funding schemes like the one announced today so that people feel safe and in control of their own communities.

“The Labour Government wants people to know they are not alone. It might be a minority causing harm and misery for the majority but we are clear – this won’t be tolerated. We’re backing our communities and our neighbourhoods. To help this we’re giving the opportunity to thousands of community champions for support and training so they can ensure councils and police deliver, using all the powers they have and doing all they can.”

Other news from East Midlands Labour

• New figures reveal Car Srappage Scheme's success in the East Midlands - 15 January 2010
• It would be great to see "football coming home to Nottingham" - 17 December 2009
• Housing projects in the East Midlands short-listed for welcome cash boost - 16 December 2009