Defeat of 'yob culture' at heart of Straw's laws

New laws to tackle violence and disorder on Britain's streets form the centrepiece of the Government's legislative programme in the run-up to the next general election.

New laws to tackle violence and disorder on Britain's streets form the centrepiece of the Government's legislative programme in the run-up to the next general election.

The police will be given powers to shut down pubs and clubs where violence breaks out, issue dusk-to-dawn curfews on teenage delinquents, and fixed-penalty fines against troublesome street drunks.

New laws are also being introduced to drive out dishonest bouncers and wheelclampers, and reduce vehicle thefts, and there are long-term plans to recover assets from drug barons and other wealthy criminals.

The proposals, all of which had been widely expected, received a mixed reception yesterday. Police questioned whether the introduction of curfews for troublesome youths aged 10 to 16 was workable.

The Police Federation, which represents the junior ranks, said it was encouraged that tackling crime was at the heart of the Queen's Speech but went on to criticise it as a "pre-election attempt" to allay fears about the state of law and order in Britain.

The most radical legislation is contained in the Criminal Justice and Police Bill, which aims to tackle anti-social behaviour - including the so-called "yob culture". Under the measures, the police will be able to hand out fixed-penalty fines of up £200 to suspected drunks and louts as young as 16. The parking ticket-style fines would also apply to those suspected of carrying out minor vandalism, abusive and threatening behaviour, under-age drinking, and consuming alcohol in a banned area.

Disorderly pubs, restaurants and clubs can be closed immediately, under legislation contained in the Bill.

The police will also be given powers of immediate arrest of kerb crawlers and hit and run drivers.

In a separate measure, the Inland Revenue will be allowed for the first time to help the police to recover assets from suspected criminals. Until now tax details were confidential.

The long-awaited regulation of the private security industry will result in a licensing system for people working as bouncers, private investigators, security consultants and wheelclampers.

The Private Security Industry Bill aims to drive out unscrupulous operators, drug dealers and criminals who work in this growing area of business, which now employs more people than the police service. A new Security Industry Authority will vet all workers and issue licences as well as oversee training. It will become a criminal offence to operate without a licence.

Measures to reduce the estimated 78,000 vehicles that are stolen every year and sold with a new identity or broken down for spare parts are contained in the Vehicles (Crime) Bill. The salvage and second-hand motor industry has long been used to recycle stolen vehicles and is an important source of revenue for organised crime.

Under the proposals, the police will be given the power to enter breakers' yards, which must in future be licensed. The supply of number plates is also to be regulated.

Big league criminals who evade the law are to be targeted in the Proceeds of Crime Bill (Draft). A new organisation, called the National Confiscation Agency, will be set up to seize the criminal assets of suspected "Mr Bigs". Under the proposals, the agency will use the lesser burden of proof in the civil courts to sue suspects for the recovery of goods and money. The Bill, however, is only in draft form and will go out to consultation next year. It therefore has no chance ofbecoming law until after the election.

Jack Straw described the four Bills as part of "the most major attack on crime and disorder that the country had seen for 20 years".

Peter Gammon, president of the Police Superintendents' Association, backed the Home Secretary, saying: "I think that yob culture is endemic and we need strong measures and mechanisms to deal with it."

But he warned that extra resources needed to be made available before the measures could be introduced.

The Association of Chief Police Officers was sceptical about some of the measures. A spokesman said: "We need to make sure that when the Bills come forward they are workable. I refer in particular to the practicality of curfews."

The new legislation on curfews will raise the maximum age at which curfews can be imposed from 10 to 16.

The Local Government Association said it welcomed the extension of the curfew scheme to include up to 16-year-olds.

But Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of the National Association of Probation Officers, said: "These are reactive measures that don't deal with the causes of criminal activity."

The crime measures were dismissed by Ann Widdecombe, the shadow Home Secretary, as a "pre-election puff". She said: "They continue a long tradition of large announcements followed by zero implementation."

Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrat spokesman on home affairs, said the Bills contained the Government's "usual mixture of sensible reform and simplistic gimmickry".