Neighbourhood police would patrol town centres with new powers to act against repeat antisocial behaviour offenders if Labour wins power.
The party has set out plans to tackle a 'shocking rise' in antisocial behaviour blighting high streets up and down the country. The proposals include mandatory antisocial behaviour cops in every local area.
It comes as recorded instances of criminal damage to shops, schools, leisure centres and businesses have increased by more than 30 per cent over the past year, Labour analysis found.
Labour has pledged to introduce 'respect orders' which would create a new criminal offence for repeat adult antisocial behaviour offenders. Police and courts would be able to take rapid enforcement action under the plans.
Nearly a quarter of criminal damage and arson offenders reoffend, as do more than a third of public order offenders, Labour said, citing the latest figures.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said some town centres have been particularly hard hit with vandalism, street drinking, harassment and abuse that 'undermines communities, blights town centres and leaves people feeling unsafe'.
She said: "The Conservatives have turned their backs on communities struggling with antisocial behaviour – cutting neighbourhood police and cutting enforcement action. Time and again people report problems but no one comes and nothing is done. Labour won’t stand for that.
“The next Labour government will put neighbourhood police back on the beat and make sure they have proper powers to act against repeat antisocial behaviour offenders. Our action plan will finally give communities the action and support they need.”
The proposals also include a prevention and diversion programme for young people; a national register of private landlords; a new statutory definition of antisocial behaviour and national guidelines on data collection; and a legal duty on Police and Crime Commissioners to create an antisocial behaviour strategy.
Labour has also vowed to introduce 'clean-up squads' for fly-tippers and establish community and victim payback boards to oversee strengthened community sentences.
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