The political debate is now being dominated by the fact that we should all have some respect.
Last week, Tony Blair launched the Respect Action Plan, the Government's set of initiatives to deal with anti-social behaviour and its causes. You probably saw the pictures of the Prime Minister armed with a hosepipe, ridding a wall of graffiti.
I'm sure that the respect agenda will resonate with people in my constituency of Cardiff North. Although I am getting fewer complaints at the moment, I know that there have been problems across the constituency with anti-social behaviour. In some places - such as Court Field in Whitchurch, Whitchurch Common, Gabalfa Avenue, Fishguard Road, Llangranog Road, or Mynachdy Road - there have been long-running sagas. In other places, there has been spasmodic disorder which has been very distressing for people.
My office is in constant contact with residents, including many elderly ones, who are feeling under threat from anti-social behaviour. So I want to see many initiatives which will help tackle this and give fresh impetus to creating a quieter life for people.
The Respect Action Plan will build on the powers the police already have in this area. It will mean taking action on persistent truancy; offering more opportunities for parenting classes, much like the Scandanavian countries where parenting classes are the norm; and consulting on a power to close houses and seal properties where the occupants are consistently involved in anti-social behaviour.
Importantly, though, it will also mean expanding opportunities for young people. It's critical that we don't always see young people as problems and that we look at the positive things that they do, too. I saw this during the recent talks on trade justice, when I met a group of young people from out churches, who talked about what they believed should be done to stop the injustice being forced on developing countries by our tariffs and subsidies.
They were passionate and informed and it is important that we recognise their contribution.
In my work tackling anti-social behaviour I have tried to encourage a holistic approach, including helping to extend outreach youth workers' operation in Whitchurch and Mynachdy. In that regard, it is sad when local facilities are closed down - in some cases, as a result of the behaviour of young people themselves, as was the case temporarily with the Tongwynlais youth club.
I am very disappointed that the Council is planning to close the Friary adult education centre. This centre is a provider of essential skills for people in Cardiff and is where hundreds of young people go for music lessons.
Tutors there have contacted me to tell me how dismayed they and their pupils are that this closure will happen, and that there is now great uncertainty - a cloud is hanging over the centre. It is critical when we talk about wanting respect from young people that we talk about respecting them, too.
Young people need facilities and support to avoid being sucked into causing trouble in our communities - and keeping excellent centres like the Friary open are crucial to long-term solutions to what is a very difficult problem. |
