Anti-social behaviour
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are elected to act as the public’s voice in policing, and what they hear from their local communities is that neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour really matters. Tackling anti-social behaviour is a key priority highlighted in all police and crime plans in England and Wales. Following the government’s launch of the ASB Action Plan in March 2023, PCCs have hit the ground running to deliver meaningful change from this funding, targeting enforcement activity to where it is needed most.
Your voice Your police: Environment Enforcer Officer video:
Through support from the Police and Crime Commissioner, Louise Coveney, an Environment Enforcement Officer, tackles anti-social behaviour to improve community safety.
Tackling anti-social behaviour through a Youth Outreach scheme:
Warmer weather and lighter summer evenings are welcome, but on hot summer days, tensions can rise between local people and young people in different communities.
Groups of young people congregating outside can lead to noise disturbance, verbal abuse, trespassing, theft and vandalism.
An innovative approach to reducing anti-social behaviour (ASB) is being supported through Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) funding of a ‘restorative’ plan to tackle the issues.
Local organisations have come together to form a Youth Outreach Team that engages with young people, as well as local residents and traders, to develop ideas and solutions to improve the situation.
The funding also provides a programme of youth outreach, engagement and activities in the school holidays. Free activities for young people - from paddleboarding to football and games – offer a wide choice of opportunities and have a positive impact on young people and on reducing ASB.
The PCC commissioned restorative approach helps to reduce the summer anti-social behaviour and the benefits of local people working more closely together is having a positive impact on the local neighbourhood and economy throughout the whole year.
Anti-social behaviour on bus network reduced by Police and Crime Commissioner-led initiative:
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) has reduced across a bus network, thanks to a Police and Crime Commissioner-led initiative.
Introduced a few months ago, a dedicated Safer Travel Team of 15 PCSOs, led by a police sergeant, have provided an effective and reassuring presence on buses and in bus stations, including those where ASB has been a particular issue.
With £1million funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner, the highly visible team works with local authorities, bus companies, neighbourhood policing teams and the British Transport Police.
The Safer Travel Team also supports an overall force-wide objective to reduce violence against women and girls.
In the first few weeks of the scheme a reduction in ASB has been recorded. Bus drivers stated that they have noticed the increased presence of the new officers and this has helped to reduce anti-social behaviour.
As well as providing a visible presence in the bus stations and on the buses to make the public feel safer, the team also hold contact points every month in the bus stations. Promoted via social media, these will aim to increase awareness of the team and provide an opportunity for the public to meet them to discuss any concerns.
Councillor Debra Coupar, executive member of a city council in the area where the Safer Travel Team operates, said: “We are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour in all its forms, and so are pleased to see that funding has been provided by the PCC to support this initiative, and in particular provide a new team of officers to work on the transport network to help ensure everyone is safe.”
Sam Lister, a bus station manager, said: “It is a fantastic idea and we very much support having a dedicated uniformed resource on the network and in bus stations that provides an amazing reassurance to the public and to our operating partners.”