Liverpool city council is to launch a wide-ranging crackdown on antisocial behaviour.
It will present the idea for a pilot scheme to home secretary David Blunkett when he visits Liverpool on Wednesday.

The "zero-tolerance" approach to under-age drinking is one of a raft of proposals the council will discuss with Blunkett during his visit.

The council will work with the police on the notorious Boot estate in Norris Green and the Walton Hunts area to stop children drinking.

Police will have the power to take under-age drinkers home and seize their alcohol.

If the youngsters continue to offend,they will be sent to get medical help.

Flo Clucas, Liverpool's cabinet member in charge of housing, said: "We have seen children as young as nine drinking on the streets. If it persists, we will liaise with the medical authorities and advise them about their behaviour and the harm it can do. If it continues, we may suggest to parents that the children be referred to specialist units."

The pilot one-year project will start after Christmas.

Its impact will be assessed by a university and then the council will decide whether to roll it out across the city.

The council refused to disclose the exact cost of the project, but Clucas said it would run into "hundreds of thousands of pounds".

Local shopkeepers and other stakeholders will contribute and the government's antisocial behaviour unit is understood to be considering part-funding it.

Blunkett's visit to Liverpool is the first of eight regional visits to collect feedback on antisocial behaviour.

Liverpool will present him with a wishlist that will include:

  • more police officers or street wardens patrolling the streets
  • a fast-track system for antisocial behaviour actions to be dealt with through the courts
  • the prevention of antisocial behaviour to be the court's main consideration when the council applies to close a right of way
  • housing benefit withheld from landlords who do not attempt to deal with antisocial behaviour.

The council has also set up a "common suspension policy" with housing associations.

Problem tenants who are evicted by one registered social landlord for antisocial behaviour will be barred from the others in the scheme.

Source

Housing Today