ZERO TOLERANCE – A POLICY WHOSE TIME HAS COME!’
One of Tony Blair’s most memorable phrases was “tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime.”

With massive investment in health, education and the infrastructure of our cities, alongside significant monies being directed into deprived communities, I would argue that a decent effort has been made in delivering the second part of that pledge.

But, ten years and counting since New Labour was elected to government, and a plethora of initiatives, most notably the introduction of ASBO’s, have failed to reduce the fear of crime, and indeed, the yobbish, anti-social and violent behaviour of a significant minority of citizens.

It was, therefore, of little surprise that in DLIB’s latest poll, to which almost 1,500 of you responded, 86% supported the notion of a zero tolerance approach to crime.

Undoubtedly, Liverpool’s business community is fed up with the yobs who walk around the city centre in gangs wearing hoodies and intimidating people, irresponsible folk who drop litter all over the place without a second thought; and who discard chewing gum on our poorly maintained pavements.

More seriously, our improved night time economy is leading to unacceptable levels of anti-social behavior, from vomiting and urinating on our streets, noise pollution from irresponsible bars, through to violent crime.

The new Grosvenor development will be policed by a private security firm 24/7 to ensure that such activity is not experienced within the boundaries of Liverpool One. What our members are clearly saying is that such an approach should be extended to cover the whole of the city centre.

We want to see community service orders and heavy fines for litter bugs and vandals; nuisance bars closed down; and proper sentencing for those who engage in serious crime. Gangs should be excluded from town altogether, and those who abuse our environment, day or night, should be properly penalised.

Not only would a zero tolerance approach see a significant reduction in crime and anti social behaviour, but it would send a clear message to the rest of the UK that Liverpool does not put up with malcontents.

When we start to discuss this issue with the powers that be, no doubt we will be told that there is a lack of resources. However, money is always found to further terrorise the motorist, as the latest wheeze of simply photographing cars that dare park on a double yellow line for any reason, and then issuing them with a £70 fine via the post, demonstrates.

Lets start getting our priorities right. Start terrorising those who terrorise us. Zero tolerance – its time has come!