23 July 2004
Critics have rounded on the government's five-year plan to slash crime rates, claiming many initiatives require longer-term solutions and dismissing others as mere 'gimmicks'.
Despite strong rhetoric from Prime Minister Tony Blair, some of those charged with delivering flagship policies remain unconvinced.
The Local Government Association, whose members will oversee antisocial behaviour programmes, said that key aspects of the plan target short-term, punitive solutions that have failed thus far.
The LGA's chair, Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, warned: 'Yet more short-term sanctions are not enough to stamp out the problem of antisocial behaviour and its causes. A balance must be struck between short-term punitive measures and long-term prevention and rehabilitation.'
Blair and Home Secretary David Blunkett revealed on July 19 that key policies include tackling nuisance behaviour by empowering the public to call on councils and police forces to deal with offenders.
The LGA welcomed that, but warned that it should not increase the financial burden on councils.
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