Campaign Day 7 - Tackling Anti Social Behaviour In North Durham

The first week of the campaign is almost over and the sun is still shining in North Durham. If the weather continues at this rate, I might end up getting a tan by the end of the campaign.

As well as canvassing and leafleting today, I spent some time talking to Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling MP, on a visit to the North East today, about the problems of anti social behaviour in North Durham.

North Durham has one of the highest rates of anti social behaviour in the country and the highest ASBO breach rate in the country. People from across the constituency have told me how their life has been badly affected by the menace of anti social behaviour.

That is why, as Chris Grayling, set out to me today, Conservatives will take tough measures to crack down on the anti social behaviour that affects ordinary, hard working people the most. . This includes giving the Police the power to take instant action against troublemakers and louts, including the power to confiscate items. He also outlined measures to ensure that the Police spend more time on the beat and less time filling in forms.

We need to take real action to fight back against anti social behaviour and reclaim our streets from louts. We need to stop the anti-social minority making life a misery for the hard working majority.