MP's Voice: Respect Orders must make a real difference in Newcastle-under-Lyme

In this month's MP's Voice column for The Staffordshire Signal, Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Adam Jogee reflects on the Policing & Crime Minister’s visit to the town and the introduction of new Respect Orders aimed at tackling persistent anti-social behaviour.

THE SIGNAL BRIEF

What’s new: Policing & Crime Minister Sarah Jones MP visited Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss anti-social behaviour with local businesses, councillors and Staffordshire Police.

Why it matters: Adam Jogee MP says tackling anti-social behaviour is important both for community safety and for the success of shops, cafés and traders in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre.

What’s next: New Respect Orders have now been introduced, while Jogee is asking residents to identify crime and anti-social behaviour hotspots through his Local Crime Survey.

I will always welcome a ministerial visit to Newcastle-under-Lyme, and we have had our fair share of them since I became our MP. Last week, we had another – when I was delighted to welcome the Policing & Crime Minister, Sarah Jones MP, to discuss anti-social behaviour and the issues affecting our town centre and communities across the constituency.

I arranged a roundtable with local business owners and traders, the ward councillors in our town centre, and Staffordshire Police - giving each of them the opportunity to share directly their concerns with Minister Jones.

We then did a walkabout around our town centre, visiting some local anti-social behaviour hotspots, including Grosvenor Roundabout, better known as the ‘sunken roundabout’, as well as some of the other locations people have raised with me through my Local Crime Survey.

It was so important for Minister Jones to hear these concerns first-hand, to see the impact of anti-social behaviour on our communities, and to put the experiences of Newcastle-under-Lyme’s businesses and shoppers at the heart of the decision making to tackle these issues.

Communities across the country have made clear that anti-social behaviour, intimidation, and low-level crime is a huge issue, and Newcastle-under-Lyme is no different. Our Police need support and the right powers to stop persistent offenders, who must face meaningful consequences.

The introduction of new Respect Orders this week - launched in Newcastle-under-Lyme - is an important step forward.

I was proud to vote for the Crime and Policing Act 2026 in April, which established the framework for these orders. They give courts new powers to restrict where persistent offenders can go and what they can do, or require them to address the causes of their behaviour. Breaching an order will be a criminal offence, punishable by up to two years in prison.

I’m pleased to see action being taken, but zero tolerance must mean zero tolerance. These powers must make a real difference on the ground here and across the nation.

The success of our high streets and local businesses is in many ways dependent on tackling anti-social behaviour. When people feel unsafe visiting the town centre, independent shops, cafés, and market traders suffer. Our town centre should be a safe and welcoming place, where people feel confident to spend their time and money with our great local traders.

With that in mind, I want to hear from you. I launched my Local Crime Survey last month. So, if you haven’t already shared your views, I’d encourage you to take a moment to complete it.

Let me know where the hotspots are, which areas make you feel unsafe, and what you think needs to change. I live here, like you, and so am determined to make sure we make our town the best place to live, learn and work.

Your feedback will help me continue to raise local concerns and, most importantly, hold the relevant authorities to account – whether that’s Staffordshire Police, the Home Office or the borough and county councils.

Have your say at:

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