“The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill,
currently before Parliament, will introduce new provisions to allow for
interim Anti-social Behaviour Orders. This builds on earlier legislation
including the provisions for probationary tenancies in the Housing (Scotland)
Act 2001. The interim orders will mean the problem can be immediately addressed.
said Mr Wilson.
“The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 introduced
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders. It also brought in new grounds for eviction
for anti-social behaviour - this includes the behaviour of visitors. Also
additional powers for the police to seize noise-making equipment.”
“The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001
gave social landlords extensive powers to evict tenants who commit anti-social
behaviour, or to move them compulsorily. “
In addition to the legislative actions,
we have allocated £30 million in the recent Scottish Budget for a
network of community wardens and other anti-social behaviour initiatives.
The Executive also funds a Social
Neighbourhood National Co-ordinator to work closely with councils to disseminate
good practice “said Mr Wilson.
We will tackle youth crime – a problem
that brings fear and consternation into too many of our communities- with
new youth courts and fast track children's’ hearings.
“Particularly, in relation to problems
which have been experienced in Ardrossan and elsewhere in my constituency,
I support the First Minister’s reported proposals to let Councils listen
to local people in their communities and ban youths from congregating in
specific spots where they might constitute a public nuisance” said Mr Wilson.
“The corollary of that, of course
is to invest in new and better sports and leisure facilities as we plan
to do throughout North Ayrshire to ensure kids have a viable attractive
and more worthwhile alternative to hanging around street corners.
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