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We will protect adults who tackle yobs, pledge Tories
Joe Murphy, Political Editor02.01.09
ADULTS will be encouraged to confront unruly teenagers without fear of prosecution under Tory plans announced today.
Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve pledged safeguards for those who challenge anti-social behaviour by youngsters.
He said public-spirited adults could sort out minor incidents themselves if they were not held back by the fear of ending up in court. "The public seem to have become tremendously willing to go running off to the police to bleat about the most minor matters," said Mr Grieve.
"They also say, 'Oh well, if I try to stop that, someone will come round to arrest me.'"
Mr Grieve said as a result police were burdened with relatively trivial matters. Giving people the confidence to tackle the problems would free up officers to target serious crime.
"Most of the complaints being made by the public are about quite low level anti-social behaviour issues about children and adolescents," he told the Independent.
He pledged that a Tory government would rewrite guidelines for police and prosecutors "within days".
Labour today signalled that it will give the public a say on how local hooligans are punished for low-level anti-social behaviour.
A Green Paper will propose that judges and magistrates could be told to have meetings with community groups to hear ideas for punishments.
Reader views (11)
I and several mates work on the buses and trains. We'd lose our jobs if we did anything discerteous, let alone challenge them.
- John, Wapping
This is just the usual meaningless drivel from the overpromoted Grieve. The real problem is the Police (lack of visibility and inaction), and a failure to apply the law as it is. There is no indication of how Grieve would actually change the law. I suggest Cameron dumps Grieve and gets in someone who is a bit more thoughtful.
- Alan, London
One little detail missing though, hoodies tend to carry knives...shall we do the same??!! DIY law enforcement does not work!!!
- Liz, London
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Liz,........You forgot to mention thaey also carry guns!
In essence, what the wooden tops are saying is, "We cannot protect you, and conversly, you cannot protect yourself"!
Logical,..........Ennit??
GERONIMO
- Geronimo, LONDON MIDDLESEX
Will someone drag that Grieve into the real world ? The reason that adults do NOT do anything about misbehaving yobs is because they know that the useless police will only be interested in throwing the adult in jail as it is far easier than trying to do something about verminous youth.
- Roger, England
For Pete's sake, let the Tories make up their minds....are we meant to be hugging them or confronting them??!!!
One little detail missing though, hoodies tend to carry knives...shall we do the same??!! DIY law enforcement does not work!!!
- Liz, London
Good on him. My vote for Mr. Cameron. I hate this soft-on-crime from Labor.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
Even if we had a half reliable police force until we have children being trained to behave themselves - under threat of consequences - nothing will change but get worse.
- Raymond, London
Finally, we can go back to the quality old Britain I remember. Nu Labor go away!
- Georgie, Islington, London
This makes me laugh,iv just had visions of Mr cameron doing a Kent clark before my very eyes as i tackle the 3 knife carrying yobs on the train abusing that young mother,phew close shave there kev,thank god for Clark cameron,aka supper politician,now I'm safe i know hes on my side.
- Kev, London-UK
So has Cameron changed his mind about hugging a hoodie?
- Triffidqueen, Desk in London
So David Cameron supports vigilantes, This is rather silly when the Government of the day controls the Police Force. It shows how inexperienced and undeveloped Cameron is as a party leader,
- Keith Price, Luton, England
