Councils to be punished for failing to tackle antisocial behaviour

Councils that fail to tackle young people’s antisocial behaviour will lose central government funding under plans agreed by the cabinet committee this week.

From April 2007, councils in England must have Respect action plans in place to tackle antisocial behaviour. Those that fail to meet their antisocial behaviour reduction targets stand the cash rewards tied to their local area agreements.

The measure came in response to prime minister Tony Blair’s determination to end what he called the “postcode lottery” of how and when people experienced antisocial behaviour in their local area.

However the use of penalties in Scotland and Wales would be “matters for the devolved administrations”, a spokesperson for the prime minister said.