Respect areas to tackle antisocial behaviour named

The first 40 Respect areas that will receive extra cash to tackle antisocial behaviour were announced today by home secretary John Reid.

Chosen local authorities have signed up to a range of measures including family intervention projects. They will receive £6m of Department for Education and Skills funding to run parenting classes in 2007/08.

The number of antisocial behaviour orders issued has almost tripled since 2003, government figures published today show.
There were 4,060 Asbos issued in 2005, up from 3,440 in 2004 and 1,336 in 2003, an increase of a 203.9 per cent, according to the Respect task force. The figures brings the total number of Asbos issued since the orders were first introduced in 1999 to 9,853.

There has been a 90 per cent increase in the number of acceptable behaviour contracts and agreements.

Since being introduced in 2003, 18,349 of the behaviour contracts have been issued across England. 

The figures also showed that parenting orders have more than doubled since being introduced in 2003 – up from 652 to 2,268. 

The government says the 40 local authorities chosen as Respect areas are not the worst places for antisocial behaviour but have a strong record of tackling it, with a commitment to do more.

The government published its Respect action plan in January 2006. 

The 40 councils to become Respect areas are:

Bradford Council
Birmingham  Council
Blackburn with Darwen Council
Blackpool Council
Bolton Council
Bournemouth Council
Brighton Council
Bristol Council
Burnley Council
Wakefield Council
Coventry Council
Derby Council
Doncaster Council
Exeter Council
Gloucester Council
Harlow Council
Hastings Council
Hull Council
Ipswich Council
Kirklees Council
Knowsley Council
Leeds Council
Leicester Council
Liverpool Council
Manchester Council
Middlesbrough Council
Newcastle Council
Norwich Council
Nottingham Council
Oldham Council
Plymouth  Council
Portsmouth  Council
Salford  Council
Sandwell Council
Sheffield Council
South Tyneside Council
Southampton Council
Southend  Council
Sunderland Council
Wirral  Council

The London boroughs that will become Respect areas are to be announced separately at a later date.

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