Combatting Crime and the Fear of Crime

Written by Vincent Cable MP and published in Online Exclusive on Fri 1st Aug 2003

One of the paradoxes of local public opinion is that 'fear of crime' invariably shows up as one of the greatest areas of concern while the cold statistics show the borough to be the safest in London. In recent weeks residents have sought my help over localised disorder not just in Hampton but also in Whitton, central Twickenham, Marble Hill park, Edgar Road and a small estate in south Twickenham.

Part of the explanation is that many people suffer from low level anti social behaviour - vandalism, graffiti, drunken and rowdy behaviour - which is not reported to the police and is often not regarded by the authorities as 'crime'. For people in Hampton, with recent experience of a brutal murder, fear of crime is, moreover, all too real.

There is some moderately good news in the form of increased police numbers. The borough commander announced this week that in the coming year his local establishment of 235 officers will have an extra 7 police officers and 16 new police support officers (the new 'para-police', with limited arrest powers).

He has already re-introduced beat policing, which I very much welcome, police on bikes and other steps to reconnect the police with the local community. Many people haven't seen the new beat officers yet, let alone got to know them.

But we are beginning to see the benefits of a reversal in the decline in police numbers after 1990 and the disastrous police policies - like the sale of police housing - which have made recruitment so difficult.

One problem however is that it simply isn't plausible to imagine that enough police can be recruited to provide the saturation presence which could provide the public with the reassurance it is seeking.

A more promising approach is to make more efficient use of the police. They are required to waste an inordinate amount of time in report writing, form filling and sitting around at court. Many of these tasks could be carried out by auxiliaries;

I secured a debate earlier in the parliamentary session on the need to recruit more retired police officers for these tasks. Technology is also under exploited. I met a computer entrepreneur last week who had developed a handheld electronic kit which could save two hours a day in an officers' time; but innovation is slow.

It is sometimes said that the police and the courts have insufficient powers to deal with antisocial behaviour. This is untrue. Parliament has legislated for an endless succession of new powers most of which are rarely used. Penalties like Anti Social Behaviour Orders, curfew orders and community service orders are available and custodial sentences can be used for repeat offenders and extreme cases. The courts have plenty of powers at their disposal.

The underlying problem in many parts of our borough is that anti social behaviour and vandalism centres on groups of teenagers who hang around on the streets and occasionally make a serious nuisance of themselves fuelled by underage drinking and illegal drug taking. In some cases tough police and court action is called for; but mostly these kids are bored and need something constructive to do.

The facilities for young people are generally poor. Trying to get help from the council for young people who want to play football in Hatherop Park has been like getting blood out of a stone. I see that youngsters in Teddington are now being priced off their pitches. Those of us who supported the Hampton Wick Skate Park met strenuous resistance.

Twickenham town centre at a weekend has degenerated into a heavy drinking Mecca with nothing for young teenagers and much aggravation for residents. By contrast, I am pleased to have played a modest role in launching the temporary ice rink, which will be open at Christmas at Hampton Court. A joined-up approach to crime prevention involving leisure activities for young people should involve a variety of such constructive initiatives around the borough.