Today, Jo Platt, the newly-elected MP for Leigh and Atherton, asked her first question in the House of Commons. Jo used the opportunity to question the Home Office about crime and policing in our town centres.
Jo Platt said: “Our town centres are struggling with persistent antisocial behaviour, often fuelled by drugs and alcohol abuse. That is placing a significant strain on our police force, deterring residents from visiting the towns and causing unease in the business community.
“I welcome the Home Secretary’s measures for more policing, but for fear of just moving the problem along. Will {you} outline the potential for collaboration among support agencies to better manage the complex nature of these offences?”
Diana Johnson, Minister of State in the Home Office, responded. She said: “Of course, collaboration will be key to tackling antisocial behaviour. In line with our manifesto, we will be introducing powerful new respect orders, giving the police greater powers to get persistent antisocial offenders off our streets.
“We will also introduce zero tolerance zones through a form of expedited public space protection orders, to prevent antisocial street drinking or local drug dealing, for example, from blighting particular areas.”
Turning around the fortunes of our town centres is Jo Platt’s top priority, so she welcomes Home Office’s commitment to more community policing and increased powers to tackle the persistent anti-social behaviour we see daily.
As well as asking this question, Jo also took the opportunity to thank Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, for visiting Leigh before the general election was called, on Thursday 16 May.
Away from The House of Commons, Jo’s local meetings with GMP, Wigan Council and local councillors have also proved productive. Each representative has a shared commitment to tackling hotspot areas such as Bradshawgate and Railway Road.
Listen to Jo addressing Parliament below: