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<p>The Government is committed to tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour (ASB)
and arson. We know the serious impact that arson and persistent ASB can have on both
individuals and the wider community.</p><p>On 27 March 2023, the Government launched
the Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-social-behaviour-action-plan"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-social-behaviour-action-plan</a>)
ensuring the police, local authorities and other relevant agencies have the powers
and tools they need to tackle the blight of anti-social behaviour facing communities
across England and Wales.</p><p>The plan is backed by £160m of funding. This includes
up to £60m to fund an increased police and other uniformed presence to clamp down
on anti-social behaviour, targeting hotspots. Initially we are working with 10 police
force areas, but from 2024 we will support a hotspot approach across every police
force area in England and Wales. West Midlands Police is one of the pilot forces for
the hotspot response funding. We are also providing up to £50m to support the provision
of Immediate Justice, by issuing out of court disposals with conditions to swiftly
repair any damage – the aim being for them to start within 48 hours of referral. This
will start in 10 initial trailblazer police force areas and be rolled out across England
and Wales from 2024.</p><p>On 6 July 2023, we launched the fifth round of the Safer
Streets Fund. Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) across England and Wales will
receive a total of £43 million on top of the £120 million already awarded for the
previous four rounds of the Safer Streets Fund to continue to deliver crime and anti-social
behaviour prevention measures.</p><p>Furthermore, the government is committed to ensuring
fire services have the resources they need to do their vital work and to keep the
public safe from fires, including those caused by arson. In 2023/24, fire and rescue
authorities will receive around £2.6 billion. Decisions on how their resources are
best deployed to meet their core functions are a matter for each fire and rescue authority.</p>
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