Police chiefs have sparked fury by banning the word yob — in case it “alienates” teenagers. Senior cops have ordered staff to find a more polite term for troublemakers when writing crime sheets. The move — backed by Scotland Yard chief Sir Ian Blair — was branded “crazy” last night by rank and file cops and anti-crime campaigners.
Norman Brennan, of the Victims of Crime Trust, said: “If you don’t like being called a yob, stop acting like one. What other words are there for those who act anti-socially and frighten the elderly and vulnerable?”
Glen Smyth, chairman of London cops’ union the Metropolitan Police Federation, added: “It is more important that we get on and deal with people whose behaviour falls below acceptable norms.
“It’s ridiculous to say it’s a slur on all young people.”
Tony Blair used the word in the Commons in 2004, and Labour pledged in its 2005 manifesto to “exclude yobs from town centres”. But the word was banned last week after a Metropolitan police report on safer neighbourhoods wrote of tackling “gangs and yobs” in London.
The term was challenged by Cindy Butts, deputy chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority. She whinged: “I have a problem with the language of ‘yobs’. It sets up and defines too much a ‘self’ and ‘other’.”
Asst Commissioner Tim Godwin told her: “I agree. We won’t use that again.” He immediately banned the word from all official Met documents.
Yesterday there was anger among Tories arriving for the Bournemouth conference. Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, said: “With violent crime and anti-social behaviour soaring out of control on our streets, the public will expect police chiefs to have more pressing matters on their minds.”
I recommend asstards, instead. Descriptive and kinda catchy.