Could ASB Be Impacting Your Community? ASB Awareness Week 2024 Shines a Light on Anti-Social Behaviour

Published On: 19 November 2024Last Updated: 19 November 2024By CornishStuff

Devon & Cornwall Police is joining a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) during ASB Awareness Week 2024, running from 18th-24th November. The week, organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, aims to empower communities to take a stand against ASB and provide guidance for those affected.

Why ASB Awareness Week Matters

A recent YouGov survey commissioned by Resolve revealed that nearly one in five people nationwide have considered moving home due to the impact of ASB, and one in ten have gone through with it. Despite these figures, over half of victims or witnesses of ASB fail to report incidents.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew of Devon & Cornwall Police is urging residents not to suffer in silence. “We understand the impact anti-social behaviour can have. I would always encourage people to continue to report anti-social behaviour,” Glen said.

Reports can be made via local council anti-social behaviour teams or directly to Devon & Cornwall Police. In emergencies, residents should call 999. Non-urgent reports can be made by calling 101, using the Report button on the police website, or by visiting police enquiry offices.

For more information on recognising and reporting ASB, visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website.

Taking Action Against ASB

The campaign highlights examples of ASB such as hate crimes, continuous noise, vandalism, nuisance vehicle noise, and harassment. Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly, emphasised the impact of ASB on community life:

“Anti-social behaviour has an impact on people’s quality of life. It includes hate crime, continuous noise or parties, vandalism, misuse of communal areas or public spaces, criminal behaviour, alcohol-related disturbances, nuisance vehicle noise, verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation, or threatening behaviour and isn’t limited to urban areas.”

Alison encouraged residents to report incidents and highlighted the ASB case review process. If a specific problem has been reported three or more times in six months, residents can request a review from Devon & Cornwall Police or their local authority. More details about the process are available here.

Building Safer Communities

Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive of Resolve, expressed gratitude for the police force’s involvement in this campaign:

“We are delighted that Devon & Cornwall Police 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 details about the campaign, visit the Resolve website. Residents can also stay informed by following their neighbourhood policing teams on social media or signing up for the community messaging system.

Glen concluded, “We take all reports of ASB seriously. To keep informed on the work of your neighbourhood policing team, you can follow them on social media or sign up for our community messaging system.”