"My Government will introduce a Bill to tackle anti-social behaviour that damages communities"

A war against graffiti and yob-culture was launched in the form of the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill.

The prime minister trailed a crackdown on anti-social behaviour as the big "idea" behind the new legislative agenda.

Tony Blair believes that action on a range of sub-criminal activity - graffiti, litter, fly-tipping and so-called "yob culture" - are key vote winners.

"Crime and anti-social behaviour is a Labour issue. In many of the poorest parts of Britain, in many traditional Labour areas, it is the issue," he said.

"However much schools and hospitals improve, if people walk out of their doors and are confronted by abuse, vandalism, anti-social behaviour, they will never feel secure or able to take advantage of new opportunities."

Boosted by the success of on-the-spot fines for street drunkenness, the government is to extend fixed penalties to a range of misdemeanours - from dropping chewing gum to nuisance noise.

But critics have pointed out that extra resources will be needed if the new laws are to be backed up with action.

Harry Fletcher of the probation union, NAPO, said enforcing the swathe of new offences and fines would require tens of thousands of extra wardens.

Implementing them would therefore be too costly and lead to the whole fine structure being ignored and undermined, he said.

Penny Dean of the Children's Society expressed concern that the government was focussing on the punishment of children "without addressing the wider issues".

But the Home Office said that ministers, working with the police, local authorities and other agencies, needs "to do more".

"The government will be publishing both a strategy to combat anti-social behaviour and a green paper on dealing with the problems of children at risk," said David Blunkett's department.

The government is also expected to publish a strategy to combat anti-social behaviour; a white paper is expected for the new year; and a green paper is also expected on dealing with problems of children at risk.

In 1998, the Crime and Disorder Act was designed to encourage local authorities to deliver a joined up response to anti-social behaviour across educational and housing policies.

Explaining the proposed changes, the Home Office conceded that "the government, working with the police, local authorities and other agencies needs to do more."

Boosted by the success of on-the-spot fines for street drunkenness, the government is to extend fixed penalties to a range of misdemeanours - from dropping chewing gum to nuisance noise.

Key Points:

• Making it easier to evict anti-social tenants;

• Extending the application of fixed penalty notices and increasing the number of people who can enforce them;

• Continuing to improve implementation of anti-social behaviour orders through the courts;

• Measures to clear up the environment. Following up the consultation on public spaces by introducing measures to tackle graffiti, use of spray paints, and fly-tipping;

• Measures to combat anti-social behaviour by young people including vandalism and dangerous use of airguns, fireworks and other anti-social behaviour that damages communities.

House of Commons

First reading: March 27 2003 (HC Bill 83)

Second reading: April 8 2003

Committee stage SC G

• 1st sitting: May 6 2003 (am)
• 2nd sitting: May 6 2003 (pm)
• 3rd sitting: May 8 2003 (am)
• 4th sitting: May 8 2003 (pm)
• 5th sitting: May 13 2003 (am)
• 6th sitting: May 13 2003 (pm)
• 7th sitting: May 15 2003 (am)
• 8th sitting: May 15 2003 (pm)
• 9th sitting: May 20 2003 (am)
• 10th sitting: May 20 2003 (pm)
• 11th sitting: May 22 2003 (am)
• 12th sitting: May 22 2003 (pm)
• Bill as reprinted (HC Bill 116)

Remaining stages: June 24 2003

House of Lords

First reading: June 24 2003 (HL Bill 84)

Second reading: July 18 2003

Committee stage

• 1st sitting: September 11 2003
• 2nd sitting: September 17 2003
• 3rd sitting: October 7 2003

Report stage

• 1st day: October 23 2003
• 2nd day: November 3 2003

Third reading: November 12 2003

House of Commons

Consideration of Lords amendments: November 17 2003

Royal Assent: November 19 2003