TWO Tang Hall residents today know all about the misery of what is classed as "low level" crime. In the early hours of this morning, their cars were smashed and set alight.
The arson attack is at the serious end of the anti-social behaviour spectrum. It encompasses everything from littering to vandalism, abusive language to group disorder.
All of us have encountered anti-social behaviour or its consequences. Decent people are routinely infuriated, intimidated and frightened by the boorish minority - and that is why it has become such a huge political issue.
So much so that Tony Blair was prompted to launch another of his messianic crusades yesterday. And what a surprise: his anti-anti social behaviour campaign is a five-year-plan, replete with targets and promises.
Voters will be cynical. Previous pledges have failed: a 1997 target of 1.2 million offences "brought to justice" each year has never been met.
Tellingly, however, most of Mr Blair's bold "new" plan builds on work already underway in North Yorkshire. Anti-social behaviour orders have been used to strong effect against persistent offenders. York police have already made it a priority to target the hard core of yobs who cause so much trouble. Swifter justice has been dealt out by the courts.
The increase in the modern, cheaper version of bobbies on the beat, police community support officers, is likely to be popular. In April, all but two wards in York voted to contribute funds towards such officers.
Perhaps Mr Blair's best single proposal is to increase curfews regulated by electronic tagging. Far less expensive than prison, this is a genuine deterrent and keeps young offenders off the street.
Tagging has the added advantage of foisting the errant youngsters back on to their neglectful parents.
Updated: 09:45 Tuesday, July 20, 2004
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