Dispersal Orders : Are they the answer ?
Harold Hill & Havering Independent Working Class Association This is a very interesting website that covers a London suburb. Well worth viewing. Thye have report from last year abour the utility of Dispersal Orders :
Hornchurch MP John Cryer asked the Home Office for an assessment of the effectiveness of the Dispersal Order schemes at Elm Park, Hornchurch and Upminster Bridge stations. The indications are that the problems of anti-social behaviour on the eastern end of the District Line have been successfully tackled by what is effect a curfew. Minister Caroline Flint MP said: "Use of dispersal powers under section 30 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003, together with other measures, have contributed to a visible fall in the number of groups of youths loitering in stations and causing disorder on the eastern end of the District Line. It has also resulted in a significant reduction in crime." John Cryer said: "I am pleased these new powers have proved so useful." No reasonable person would deny that these Dispersal Orders have in the short term allowed passengers to travel on the District Line and use the stations free from the fear caused by gangs of youths. After all, public transport is an asset for the whole community, not a hangout for disaffected teenagers who want to cause trouble.
However, while we hear a lot about applications for, the implementation and the short term effectiveness of Dispersal Orders, there appears to be little about long term solutions to the problems of disaffected youth. While no one should be rewarded for bad behaviour, there is a need to try and channel the energies of youth into more positive and constructive channels instead of pushing them from one part of the borough to another as is currently the case.
Misbehaving youths do need to be challenged about their behaviour and left in no doubt as to how the wider community feels about the impact their actions have.
They also need to be given an alternative and offered a chance to do something more positive. This involves sustained investment in youth facilities and services - something that is sadly lacking at the moment. If this doesn't happen, one the Dispersal Order has expired, there is every likelihood that the problem will return. This means that a further round of Dispersal Orders will be called for. The result will inevitably be increased tension between youths and the police, increasing the probability of confrontations and disorder. Is it asking too much to have some joined up thinking on this issue for once?
Hornchurch MP John Cryer asked the Home Office for an assessment of the effectiveness of the Dispersal Order schemes at Elm Park, Hornchurch and Upminster Bridge stations. The indications are that the problems of anti-social behaviour on the eastern end of the District Line have been successfully tackled by what is effect a curfew. Minister Caroline Flint MP said: "Use of dispersal powers under section 30 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003, together with other measures, have contributed to a visible fall in the number of groups of youths loitering in stations and causing disorder on the eastern end of the District Line. It has also resulted in a significant reduction in crime." John Cryer said: "I am pleased these new powers have proved so useful." No reasonable person would deny that these Dispersal Orders have in the short term allowed passengers to travel on the District Line and use the stations free from the fear caused by gangs of youths. After all, public transport is an asset for the whole community, not a hangout for disaffected teenagers who want to cause trouble.
However, while we hear a lot about applications for, the implementation and the short term effectiveness of Dispersal Orders, there appears to be little about long term solutions to the problems of disaffected youth. While no one should be rewarded for bad behaviour, there is a need to try and channel the energies of youth into more positive and constructive channels instead of pushing them from one part of the borough to another as is currently the case.
Misbehaving youths do need to be challenged about their behaviour and left in no doubt as to how the wider community feels about the impact their actions have.
They also need to be given an alternative and offered a chance to do something more positive. This involves sustained investment in youth facilities and services - something that is sadly lacking at the moment. If this doesn't happen, one the Dispersal Order has expired, there is every likelihood that the problem will return. This means that a further round of Dispersal Orders will be called for. The result will inevitably be increased tension between youths and the police, increasing the probability of confrontations and disorder. Is it asking too much to have some joined up thinking on this issue for once?
posted by ziz at
11:15 PM
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