Professionals warned they face sack for antisocial behaviour failures

Professionals
working against antisocial behaviour who fail to tackle offenders
using new powers awarded to them by ministers, should be sacked,
the home secretary warned, writes Amy
Taylor.

Speaking at the
launch of the antisocial behaviour action plan, David Blunkett said
that all professionals must “do their job” and use the powers
they will be given under the plan.

Such professionals
include headteachers, who will have the power to issue fines to
parents whose children truant, and workers on crime and disorder
reduction partnerships, which are strengthened under the plan.

Speaking of these
groups David Blunkett said: “They are accountable to the community,
and if they don’t do their job they should be got rid of.”

Blunkett went on
to directly challenge calls by children’s charities that measures
in the bill affecting young people are too harsh. “The Children’s
Society and others – if you really want to protect young people you
don’t let them drift into gangs…you help them by
getting a structure into their lives,” he said.

The plan includes
the creation of a team of 10 specialist antisocial behaviour
prosecutors from early next year to help communities to prosecute
offenders quickly. Ten ‘trailblazer’ priority geographical areas
for action targeting issues such as begging and nuisance neighbours
were also identified.

A further measure
involves new sentencing guidance from January for magistrates
dealing with breeches of antisocial behaviour orders to ensure
consistent punishments throughout the country.

Prime minister
Tony Blair, also speaking at the launch, said more legislation
would follow if the measures did not bring improvements.

The action plan available here