Government's Respect Orders on anti-social behaviour welcomed

The government recently announced that new Respect Orders will give the police and local councils powers to ban persistent offenders from town centres or from drinking in public spots such as high streets and local parks, where they have caused misery to local people.

The issue of anti-social behaviour in St Helens town centre has been in the spotlight over recent months.

Booze-fuelled anti-social behaviour has been highlighted by Star readers, particularly around Victoria Square.

The issue, which senior councillors have described as "unacceptable" led to the removal of benches at the front of St Helens Town Hall.

Benches were removed from Victoria Square over the summer (Image: St Helens Star)

There have been reports of assaults, swearing, disorder and weddings being disrupted due to the unruly behaviour of drunken groups.

St Helens Council has said it is considering further action to ensure that public spaces are safe and accessible for all, including the potential for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

As the new government legislation on Respect Orders was debated in the House of Commons, St Helens North MP David Baines welcomed this, adding that  "there's nothing low level about anti social behaviour, it can destroy lives and communities and it's right that we take it seriously". 

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The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the orders will be piloted before a national rollout of the scheme in a bid to make sure they are as effective as possible. 

Perpetrators can also be required to address the root cause of their behaviour by being mandated to undertake positive rehabilitation, such as attending drug or alcohol treatment services, or an anger management course to address the underlying causes of their behaviour.  

David Baines MP has welcomed the 'Respect Orders' legislation (Image: Stock)

Speaking in the debate, Mr Baines added that he was "particularly pleased" to hear about "the steps to protect shop workers and to take shoplifting seriously". 

Failure to comply with Respect Orders will be a criminal offence. Police will have the ability to immediately arrest anybody who is breaching their Respect Order. 

Police will also be given stronger powers to seize vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour will also be strengthened, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing the vehicles which bring misery to local communities.  

This will allow police to deal more swiftly with the scourge of off-road bikes in public parks and dangerous e-scooters on pavements, street racing and cruising. It will also assist the police in tackling car meets, which can see hundreds of cars gather in public spaces that often include loud aggressive engine revving and intimidating music.  

This will give police and council 'ability to crack down'

David Baines MP said: “I welcome the introduction of Respect Orders and stronger powers to seize vehicles being driven in an anti-social manner. 

"Respect Orders will give the police and councils in St Helens North the ability crack down on those who persistently make our streets and public spaces feel unsafe.  

"I am pleased to see the ability to ban offenders from our high street and parks, with a power of arrest for those who ignore such direction, as well as the power to require individuals to seek help for underlying causes of their poor behaviour such as drug or alcohol misuse”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of St Helens. Please get in touch at simon.mulligan@newsquest.co.uk