Time To Reclaim The Streets From Louts

It wasn't great to see County Durham being profiled in The Sun as one of the 'lout capitals of Britain'. Sadly, it doesn't come as a massive surprise.

When I speak to people in North Durham, the only complaint that comes up time and time again is that anti social behaviour is a real problem and that not enought is being done about it. The number of people who regard the streets of our big towns as no go areas after dark suggests that a lot more needs to be done.

There has been a lot of rhetoric about cracking down on anti social
behaviour in recent years. But the fact that Durham Police area has one of the highest rates in the country of anti social behaviour and the highest rate of ASBO breaches in the country suggests that tough rhetoric isn't being matched with tough action.

We need zero tolerance of anti social behaviour. There is no excuse for a minority of louts making life a misery for the majority of people. This means that Police have to take this problem seriously. Swift, decisive and resolute action is needed NOW to reclaim the streets from louts and yobs.