The use of the term 'Yobs' in official police reports to the Metropolitan Police Authority - statement by Len Duvall, Chair MPA

62/06
2 October 2006

“At the Metropolitan Police Authority full meeting last week there was brief discussion around the use of the term “yobs” in a Metropolitan Police report on Safer Neighbourhoods. This has led to much media comment over the appropriate use of language, most of which misses the point entirely.

“When talking about ‘yobs’ we are describing those groups of youths who are engaged in antisocial or criminal activity, and not about law-abiding teenagers hanging around together on street corners.

“What matters is not how we describe criminals or those causing a nuisance, but how we deal with them in order to reduce crime and the fear of crime, and prevent antisocial behaviour from blighting people’s lives.

“Safer Neighbourhoods and a host of other initiatives are already tackling these issues head on, with London recording 29,000 fewer crimes overall in the first five months of the current financial year compared to the same period in 2005-06.

“We are concentrating on the important issue of making our streets safer, not worrying about upsetting those intent on breaking the law.”

Notes to editors

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