Cameron: I'll bring back 'National Service' to counter yob culture

Published on Friday 18 January 2008 21:48

DAVID Cameron has called for a revived form of National Service to steer out-of-control youths back on the straight and narrow, in the wake of the murder of Garry Newlove.

The Conservative leader said Britain's streets had been "lost" to thugs, as he pointed to the killing of an innocent father of three by a teenage gang.

There was a need for "big social, cultural and political change" to tackle the problem of social disorder", he said.

While he said he would not bring back National Service in a traditional form, he called for a new "national citizens' service", which would involve the army and other voluntary services. He said it was "something all 16-year-olds should do, to learn about their duties and responsibilities as citizens and inspire them as being part of our country instead of being people who hang round on street corners".

Mr Cameron has said that a "rites of passage" scheme would encourage school-leavers to devote six weeks to military training, working in prisons, with the elderly or in developing countries.

He said: "National Service did bring people together and say, 'Look, you're part of something bigger than yourself, part of a country, and you have responsibilities and duties as a citizen'. That's what I think we ought to be doing."

Mr Cameron also agreed with Mr Newlove's widow, Helen, who said Britain's streets had been lost to violent youths.

His remarks come after The Scotsman highlighted the binge-drinking culture gripping some youngsters across Scotland.

In an emotional statement after her husband's killers were jailed earlier this week, Mrs Newlove pleaded for more to be done to stop gangs going on violent, drink-fuelled rampages. Mr Cameron said: "Mrs Newlove spoke for millions when she said that, in too many parts of the country, the streets had been taken over by the thugs and society had retreated."

Adam Swellings, 19, from Crewe; Stephen Sorton, 17, of Warrington; and Jordan Cunliffe, 16, formerly of Warrington, were convicted at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday of murdering Mr Newlove, 47, outside his Warrington home last August after he confronted a gang of drunken teenagers over acts of vandalism.

Swellings was on bail at the time of the attack.

Downing Street yesterday defended the record of Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, on tackling anti-social behaviour and youth crime.

Asked whether Britain's streets had been lost to thugs, his spokeswoman said there were still "pockets" where more action was needed.

However, she said he was still focused on the "respect" agenda and that he was working with retailers, police and drinks companies to tackle alcohol misuse.

The government has pledged to learn lessons from the murder of Mr Newlove, as MPs from all parties are demanding an urgent debate on bail conditions for violent criminals.