READING MPs have unanimously called for the town to become a pilot area for new powers announced by the Home Secretary last week.
Yvette Cooper set out plans to introduce new so-called ‘Respect Orders’ which will give police forces and local councils to ban repeat and persistent offenders from town centres or from drinking in public spots.
Perpetrators can also be required to address the root cause of their behaviour by being mandated to undertake positive rehabilitation, such as attending drug or alcohol treatment services, or an anger management course to address the underlying causes of their behaviour.
Failure to comply with these orders will be dealt with as a criminal offence, and Police will also be given stronger powers to seize vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour will also be strengthened, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizure.
As well as prison sentences of up to two years, criminal courts will also be able to issue unlimited fines and community orders, such as unpaid work and curfews as punishment for breaching a Respect Order.
The government has also said that the plans would be tested in pilot areas before a full rollout, which all three of Reading’s Labour MPs have expressed interest in the town being a part of.
Reading Central MP Matt Rodda said in parliament that he welcomed the move “wholeheartedly,” explaining: “Every week, I meet residents who very sadly have their lives disturbed, and sometimes even ruined, by appalling crime and antisocial behaviour.
“So I am delighted that the Minister is bringing forward these clearly well thought through and well explained measures.
“Would she perhaps consider Reading for one of the pilot schemes in this very important set of measures?”
Dame Diana Johnson, who made the announcement in parliament, explained that while “there are many… members who are pitching for their constituencies to be one of the pilots,” Reading would be “added to the list.”
Mr Rodda reported that Members of Parliament for Reading West and Mid Berkshire and Earley and Woodley, Olivia Bailey and Yuan Yang respectively, also supported the call for Reading to participate in the pilot.
