Youth worker on Nitrous Oxide ban and anti-social behaviour plan

Sharat Hussain, who transformed a church into the life-changing youth centre, Mary Magdalene CiC, said the Government’s new plans will bring the fear factor back to crime. 

Bradford is taking part in new "immediate justice" trials under a wider plan to stamp out anti-social behaviour in West Yorkshire. 

It is among 16 areas taking part in the Government's latest measures to tackle places facing high amounts of low-level crime. 

The aim is for perpetrators behind anti-social activity to carry out repair and clean-up works within 48 hours of being handed community orders.

Sharat Hussain stands in Mary Magdalene CiC - a former church turned into a youth centre

Offenders will be made to wear high-vis vests or jumpsuits and work under supervision while picking up litter, removing graffiti and washing police cars as punishment for their actions.

Victims of anti-social behaviour will be given a say in how criminals are disciplined to ensure justice is visible and fits the crime, according to the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities.

Sharat said: “It needs to be managed properly.

“The victims will always say that the punishment wasn’t harsh enough. We’ve got 90,000 people in prisons right now. Sometimes with anti-social behaviour small community resolutions might be a solution.

“It’s having that mindset if you get involved there will be actions or consequences.

“People think they can get away with anything. 

“PCSOs are out there on the streets, maybe giving them more powers, it’s something the PCSOs can deal with on the spot.

“The laws are changing.

“It goes on your DBS. That person automatically loses, even if they have qualifications and knowledge. They will not be employable. Young people and adults will have criminal records. That will result in poverty, and poverty results in crime. It’s that revolving door of criminal justice.

“The balance has to be right. We’ve got to look at the whole bigger picture. 

“It’s having these kinds of conversations.

“We’ve got to look at the severity of the incident.”

Some areas will trial “Hotspot Policing", including enforced police patrols and wardens in problem areas. 

The intention is to roll out the measures across England and Wales from 2024.

The measures will also include a ban on sales of laughing gas, also known as 'nitty'. 

The Telegraph & Argus has been pushing for a ban on the drug alongside Sharat, Sofia Buncy MBE, national co-ordinator at the Khidmat Centre, and young people across the district. 

Sharat said: “It’s been nearly three years in the making. The classification of this, we welcome it with open arms.

“That means we don’t see people willy nilly in cars taking balloons. They will have to be weary it’s become a drug. It’s long overdue.”