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Caroline
Flint backs Reid's law and order measures
28 November 2006
Don Valley MP Caroline Flint has met
with Home Secretary Dr John Reid to discuss new measures
to enable swifter action against crime.
Said the Don Valley MP "The Home
Secretary has hit the nail on the head with the new
powers to tackle antisocial behaviour and organised
crime.
"The feedback I get from residents
says they want activities that bring down their neighbourhood
stopping quickly - like buildings being used for raves
or for prostitution," said Caroline. "People
say: 'If we know it's going on - then the police must
be able to do something about it.' Those residents are
right, which is why I am backing swifter powers to close
houses or other buildings that become a centre for anti-social
activities. It's nothing more than commonsense justice."
The Don Valley MP also highlighted
plans to hit organised crime gangs by freezing assets.
"In tackling organised crime, the lessons are to
build on success and don't stand still - get ahead of
the criminal masterminds."
"Everyone knows that measures
like asset recovery - confiscating the proceeds of crime
- have been important tools in fighting organised crime
and money laundering. Now I want Government to freeze
the assets of criminal gangs. John Reid is absolutely
on the right track.
Among the new measures that will be
coming before Parliament are:
· A new civil order - Serious
Crime Prevention Order - to hit organised crime gangs
by freezing assets or stopping nefarious activities
ahead of, or instead of, a criminal prosecution.
· New powers for swifter,
commonsense justice. We want to see powers to close
houses and buildings that have become centres for anti
social behaviour (e.g. raves/prostitution). We also
want suspended financial penalties attached to Acceptable
Behaviour Contracts to ensure compliance.
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