Conservatives to crack down on yob culture

The Conservatives have strengthened their promise to tackle Britain’s ‘yob’ culture, by unveiling new pledges aimed at ‘building out’ crime-filled housing estates and tackling binge drinking.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said that a Conservative government would introduce an action plan which would 'build out' crime in the design and construction of new housing areas.

Mr Davis accused Labour of failing to recognise the “link” between crime and the provision of housing. He said that Labour’s planning policy advocated “rabbit hutch developments with a large percentage of social housing” with “little provision” for car ownership. Mr Davis said: “These are precisely the kind of ideas that led to the social disasters of the 1950s, 60s and 70s, when council estates were designed as modernist utopias without regard to the consequences for the real people who had to live in them.

“Such places became breeding grounds for crime and we’re still living with the effects today.”

Mr Davis said that a Conservative government would build out crime, with the introduction of new planning guidelines, creating areas with plenty of private space, road access and easily observed communal areas. He said: “We’ll actively discourage the kinds of concealed walkways, dank underground parking, burglar-friendly alleyways, pedestrianised gathering points and brutalised high rise towers that create danger and alienation.”

Conservative leader Michael Howard also unveiled the party’s five-point plan to tackle binge drinking. The Conservative proposals included plans to introduce 5,000 more police officers; grant local councils the power to restrict the issue of late night licenses to venues as well as the power to block license extensions to premises where binge-drinking is a problem; stop “irresponsible” drinks promotions; and grant local communities a greater say in licensing decisions.

Mr Howard said: “Our five-point plan will confront the binge drinking culture. A Conservative government won’t turn a blind eye when they bend or break the rules, The same rules will apply to everyone – no-one will be above the law.”

Mr Howard said that much of the “yob culture” in Britain is “fuelled by drink”. He said: “I’m all in favour of people having a good time – as long as their good time doesn’t become someone else’s nightmare.”

(KMcA/GB)