“Tolerating Behavior for Too Long”
Sunak wants to put vandals in safety vests
03/26/2023, 5:38 p.m
The conservative government in Great Britain wants to take much tougher action against graffiti sprayers and vandals. These are to be brought in safety vests to make up for the damage they have caused. But there are other tightenings.
Graffiti sprayers and vandals in Great Britain should in future make amends for their crimes by wearing safety vests. As announced by the government in London, they should only have 48 hours to repair their damage after arrest and the corresponding order. In addition, the fines due are to be increased significantly, as the newspaper “Mail on Sunday” reports.
“For too long people have endured the scourge of antisocial behavior in their neighborhoods,” Sunak said. “These are not petty crimes. They disrupt everyday life, hold businesses back, and undermine the sense of security and community that brings people together.”
According to observers, the Tories want to score points with their conservative core clientele with their announcements for more “law and order”. The government is also currently pushing ahead with controversial laws against unwanted migration and for more police rights at large demonstrations.
Repeat offenders must take a drug test
In all cases, critics accuse Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of only reacting with his tough course and not adequately combating the causes. In addition, aid organizations warn against giving the police, who are accused of racism and sexism, even more powers.
The BBC quoted a government statement as saying that the demonstrative display of wrongdoers was intended to demonstrate to the population that justice was being done. Where the damage has already been repaired, other tasks such as garbage collection or volunteer work in shops should arise.
Those who are regularly noticed for vandalism or “antisocial” behavior should be subjected to more frequent drug tests. A pilot project is initially planned in ten areas, and the project is then to be introduced nationwide in England and Wales in 2024.
Laughing gas should be banned
A new parliament will be elected in Great Britain in 2024, and the Conservatives are currently far behind in the polls. The Minister responsible, Michael Gove, announced that the Government would invest an additional £160m to ensure that those responsible are punished as soon as possible. In addition, the police presence in “hotspots” should be increased.
Anyone dumping rubbish illegally should pay £1,000 instead of the previous £400. Penalties for graffiti will more than triple from £150 to £500, according to the Mail on Sunday. Gove told Sky News the government also wants to ban the sale and possession of nitrous oxide. He pointed out that the canisters were thrown away in heaps and contributed to the garbage problem.
“Additionally, people using a drug that can have psychological and neurological effects can contribute to antisocial behavior,” Gove said. “We cannot allow our places to become arenas for drug abuse and therefore we must crack down on new forms of drug use.”
Nitrous oxide (nitrous oxide) is used as an anesthetic in medicine and dentistry, and as a gas for whipping cream. The opposition Labor party supports the planned ban. On the other hand, experts criticize the measure as disproportionate. A ban would only play into the hands of criminals.