Question
Far too many residents in Gloucester tell me about persistent antisocial behaviour in the city centre, and they are fed up with it. We are seeing a situation where people get off the bus and are immediately confronted by street drinkers, and the local corner shop is selling alcohol to them when they can barely stand up. The police are doing what they can but, given the challenges facing Gloucestershire constabulary, can the Minister outline what more can be done to tackle the antisocial behaviour blighting our city centre?
Answer
I went last week to Newcastle-under-Lyme, Southall and Hemel Hempstead, and I have been talking to all the police forces across the country. I expect my hon. Friend’s police force to take these powers in the manner in which they are intended—as a useful tool to help the police, local authorities, housing associations and other agents to tackle antisocial behaviour and introduce respect orders. We are increasing funding across the country. Importantly, we are also reforming policing to put local policing at the heart of everything we do, so that the public get the service they expect.20% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (30/100)
The question asked what more can be done about antisocial behaviour in Gloucester city centre. The reply names some general tools, such as antisocial behaviour powers and respect orders, and mentions funding and policing reform, but it does not tie any of these to Gloucester or say what action will actually be taken locally. Because the answer stays general throughout, the person who asked would likely need to follow up to get the specific local commitments they were seeking.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What more can be done to tackle the antisocial behaviour in Gloucester city centre? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply points to concrete tools (antisocial behaviour powers and respect orders, statement 3) and to increased funding and policing reform (statements 4 and 5), but none is tied to Gloucester city centre. Statements 4 and 5 are generic platitudes, and the reply never says what further action would be taken locally, so it only partly answers what more can be done. |