Anti-social behaviour is a blight on our communities, and nowhere is this more evident than in Dudley. From vandalism and intimidation to dangerous joyriding on off-road bikes, persistent disorder, theft, drug dealing, and the ever-frustrating issue of fly-tipping, these behaviours strike at the very heart of our towns. They erode community confidence, make residents feel unsafe, and tarnish the reputation of Dudley as a vibrant and welcoming place to live and work.
The impact on our high streets and businesses is significant. Some estimates suggest that the cost to businesses and individuals, driven by heightened fear of crime, could exceed £70 billion annually. This is simply unacceptable. We must do better to reduce both the cost and the consequences of anti-social behaviour.
During the Westminster Hall debate, I was heartened by the response of the responding Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips MP, who powerfully reinforced the seriousness of anti-social behaviour. She rightly stated that it is not “low level, trivial or minor” and that to minimise it in such a way is an insult to the many people who suffer daily as a result of these selfish actions. The Minister highlighted how anti-social behaviour eats away at people’s sense of security and local pride, and she echoed my call for a robust, multifaceted approach to tackling this issue.
But why does anti-social behaviour persist? The causes are complex, rooted in social, psychological, and economic factors. Poverty and deprivation are consistently identified as primary drivers, while mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress can exacerbate the problem, particularly among teenagers. Addressing these issues requires a cross-departmental approach that goes beyond policing alone.
Prevention must be at the heart of our response. Effective prevention is not just about reacting to incidents but addressing the root causes and stopping problems before they start. This means regular, high-visibility police patrols in hotspot areas to deter offenders, early engagement with young people in schools to address adverse behaviours, and close collaboration with local businesses and residents to identify and intervene with persistent offenders.
Building community cohesion is equally vital. Too often, young people in Dudley lack safe and entertaining outlets such as sports clubs, youth centres, or activity hubs. Without these opportunities, they are left with limited options, which can lead to anti-social behaviour. That’s why I am fighting to bring back Dudley Town FC and to save community assets like Sedgley Library and Meadow Road Youth Centre. These facilities are essential for fostering a sense of belonging and pride in our town.
However, we cannot ignore the broader context. Like much of the West Midlands, Dudley has seen a dramatic increase in crime over the past decade, with a 76% rise locally and a 79% rise across the region. Chronic underfunding and significant cuts to police numbers over the past 14 years have hampered our ability to tackle these issues effectively. Despite these challenges, our police officers continue to do a fantastic job, and I want to thank them for their unwavering commitment to keeping us safe.
I welcome the Government’s recent announcement of £200 million for neighbourhood policing as part of a wider billion-pound boost. Locally, I was delighted to see our Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, secure an extra 150 neighbourhood police officers for the West Midlands, alongside a further 139 officers redeployed into neighbourhood policing. These actions are exactly what we need to ensure that policing serves our communities.
But we can and must go further. The Crime and Policing Bill, which I was proud to support at 2nd Reading, introduces Respect Orders to target persistent offenders, extends closure powers for premises linked to crime, and increases penalties for repeat offences. Crucially, it ensures that victims’ voices are heard and that authorities act when incidents are reported.
Anti-social behaviour is an issue I hear about daily from constituents. From drug dealing and vandalism in Oak Street to joyriding in Upper Gornal and fly-tipping in Kates Hill, these behaviours cause fear, damage community facilities, and undermine pride in our town. They are a blight on Dudley, and we must act decisively to address them.
I call on the Government to ensure that resources allocated to the West Midlands are shared fairly with towns like Dudley. We cannot allow resources to be concentrated in big cities while our communities miss out. By investing in prevention, supporting our police, and ensuring fair distribution of resources, we can restore pride, safety, and confidence in Dudley’s communities.
Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour in Dudley: A Call to Action
