Reporting anti-social behaviour counts

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight shows support for ASB Awareness Week 2022.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Terry Norton, has joined the national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and keep people in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight safe.

Running from July 18 to 22, ASB Awareness Week 2022 aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.

Organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, the week features a series of awareness campaigns all across the UK involving councils, police forces, housing associations, charities, community groups and sports clubs.

This year’s ASB awareness week marks one year since Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones launched an ASB Task Force jointly with Hampshire Constabulary.

Her deputy, Terry Norton, explains: “The ASB task force was set up in response calls from communities for authorities to take more firm action in preventing and tackling anti-social behaviour. Vandalism, street drinking, irresponsible driving and other unacceptable behaviours leave people feeling alarmed, harassed or distressed, and ultimately unsafe in their local community.
“Whilst many incidents of ASB are not criminal, the Commissioner and I are committed to tackling ASB by working with key partners, including local authorities, police, and community safety partnerships, to solve as many issues as possible.”

Since the ASB Task Force was launched in July last year, reports of anti-social behaviour has decreased.
Data shows that between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2021 there were a total of 37,325 incidents recorded.

Between July 2021 and June 2022, the force reordered 28,841 incidents of anti-social behaviour in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.

Nationally, recent YouGov research commissioned by Resolve found that more than half of people (56%) believe that ‘more needs to be done’ to tackle ASB in their community. However, after they witnessed or experienced ASB, a similar proportion of the public (57%) said that they did not report it to anyone.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Terry Norton, added: “Tackling ASB is a key priority in the Police and Crime Plan, anti-social behaviour has a real and detrimental impact on people’s lives and in some cases, can lead to serious crime.

“Whilst the amount of reports has reduced, the Commissioner’s ASB Task Force continues to fund projects that help reduce incidents further.

“Through the Safer Communities Fund, we have funded initiatives that support victims, prevent crime, reduce re-offending and provide youth diversion projects.

“The Commissioner Donna Jones and I want to tell people that reporting incidents of ASB really counts, which is why we are supporting the awareness week and specifically the use of Community Triggers and Community Remedy, so that people get the support they need.”

The office of the police and crime commissioner is urging members of the public not to suffer in silence if they experience ASB. Incidents can be reported to the anti-social behaviour team at the local council, or to the police if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger.

Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive of Resolve added:

“ASB is not low-level crime. It can have a long-lasting impact on the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime.

“It is important that the challenge of ASB continues to be given the priority it needs so that people everywhere feel safe in their homes and communities.

“We are delighted that Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, her deputy Terry Norton, and their wider team is supporting this hugely important campaign. It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.”

For more information about ASB Awareness Week – visit www.resolveuk.org.uk/asbawarenessweek