A maiden speech to Parliament is often used as a personal manifesto – where a new MP sets out what they want to achieve for their constituents.  

My maiden speech to Parliament was in May 2005, exactly three years ago. Fresh from the general election, and having listened to thousands of constituents, I was given courage by the confidence that I understood their concerns as clearly as I possibly could.  

I had spent many weeks and months talking to people about their rising aspirations, in education, employment, the provision of housing and health. I had talked most about crime and the loss of respect in society. I pledged in my speech to work hard to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Swindon. Now, exactly three years on I am really pleased that following my launch of a guide to the law in this area – people say they are better equipped than ever to fight back against yobs. 

By fight back I am not talking about vigilante action, but the use of knowledge as power.  

The first thing the South Swindon Anti-social Behaviour Handbook does when it appears through someone’s letter box is say “someone is on your side” and that’s an important start. 

The second thing it does is bring together some of the most pertinent laws and regulations the Labour government have brought in over the last ten years in one place. 

They are laws I backed because police and residents asked for them. The other political parties may say we have brought in too many laws, but ask them which ones they would scrap: the curfew on fireworks? the power to seize a mini moto that’s causing a nuisance? the protection against harassment act? – I don’t think so.

A lot of laws have come into force – so it’s handy to have a guide. Some constituents are amazed local authorities can remove shopping trolleys and recover the cost of doing so from the supermarket. Others who I have told should expect their local authority to clear litter and prosecute those who cause it have not believed me. They have been let down by the council too many times.  

The third thing my handbook does is give advice as to how a resident can approach a problem – and a space to start a diary, a record of the antisocial behaviour that has been affecting them, something the police usually ask for.  

Lastly my handbook brings the contact details of nearly all the agencies people might need into one place. That includes services like the Swindon Women’s Refuge which I never tire of praising in the House of Commons. And the CAB and Law Centre, organisations that my office work with to help guide people through the legal mine field.  

It’s important that antisocial behaviour and crime is dealt with quickly, not least because often the perpetrators are in some way victims themselves. I hear of cases where a person is being persistently verbally abusive and aggressive, and very often that is a sign that the person needs professional help. Where people have complained that prostitution is happening in their street – I want assurances from the police that when the business is closed down the women involved are given support to stay out of prostitution and that any suspicion of people trafficking is being investigated. Where children are involved in antisocial behaviour, parenting orders are sometimes necessary. These force the parents to stop the child’s behaviour, working alongside a “responsible officer” who could be a social worker or a member of the youth offending team.  

It is very rare that people spontaneously do something criminal or antisocial; there is usually some story behind it. My antisocial behaviour handbook sets out not only to highlight the tough penalties but also the long term remedies.  

Crime has fallen in Swindon but the fear of crime has not fallen far enough. I am extremely proud to represent the strong communities in Parks, Walcot, Dorcan, the centre of Swindon and the West of Swindon but this is where fear of crime is highest. These are areas where I continue to believe people deserve more help to fight crime.  

Even in the villages that surround Swindon, my constituents have complained about the misbehaviour of some young people. Most youngsters are law abiding and a credit to Swindon, but unfortunately there are a few who don’t consider the impact of their behaviour on other people, or simply don’t care. A responsible society makes sure there are laws to curb this behaviour and get these youngsters on the straight and narrow, for their own sake as well as that of the community. 

I strongly believe that groups of individuals in our communities have a bigger role to play in standing up to antisocial behaviour and I have the evidence to back this up. When I made my maiden speech back in 2005 mini motos were just starting to become a serious problem in Swindon. I launched a Bill in parliament to create a new law to clamp down on them, supported by writing to hundreds of constituents, and to the police in Swindon. Not only did the police redouble their efforts, but they taught the owners of these a lesson by crushing several illegal mini motos. Suddenly riding a one illegally became socially unacceptable and parents took them away from their children. It very quickly became obvious that the campaign to support the Bill was in fact doing the Bill’s job.  

People working together can have an effect – and my handbook now gives them the tools to call on the law to help achieve the aims of a peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood.