Report Anti-Social Behaviour, force campaign urges

Bedfordshire Police and partners are marking an annual campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB).

ASB Awareness Week runs from 18 to 24 November to highlight the impact of ASB on communities and encourage victims to report.

In Bedfordshire, ASB reports to the police average around 1,000 each month.

Superintendent Hob Hoque said: “Anti-social behaviour is a blight on our communities and, if not appropriately identified and dealt with, can cause a significant impact on anyone suffering it in their neighbourhood.

“ASB is often considered as low-level offending but the truth is that it has a footprint on much more serious criminality. Where ASB takes place, there will undoubtedly be wider links to drugs, exploitation and high-harm crime.

“We have had some excellent results recently from Op Skytree tackling off-road bikes in Dunstable, numerous property closure orders, multi-agency work in Biggleswade and a new Town Centre Taskforce set up in Luton.

“I would encourage everyone to continue to submit reports about ASB in their area, so that we can identify problem areas and build up our intelligence to target hotspots. We will continue to work in collaboration with our partners to help make communities safer.

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard said: "Anti-social behaviour is a scourge across neighbourhoods, towns and villages.

“It causes inconvenience, discomfort and all too often criminal damage to property, public facilities, and public spaces. It can create fear.

“Tackling ASB is, and must always be a key objective for the police. My Police and Crime Plan makes this very clear. 

“I am committed to reinvigorating local policing. However, preventing and tackling ASB requires action by local authorities through community safety plans and enforcement action. We need youth services too. Courts must sentence appropriately to punish and deter.

“Above all, we must put communities first, check our behaviour, and that of our children and neighbours. We must call out ASB whenever and wherever it occurs."

Councillor Maria Lovell, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety at Luton Council said: "We take anti-social behaviour issues seriously, so this is a really important week in terms of highlighting the work with do with our partners to make our town safer and cleaner for residents and communities.

“In addition, we recently announced our Town Centre Task Force, a multi-agency group working to create a town centre where people want to visit and spend time.”

Councillor Steve Owen, Executive Member for Community Safety at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “Anti-social behaviour comes in many forms, but it has a serious, negative impact on our communities, and can make people feel unsafe.

"That’s why it’s so important to report anti-social behaviour if you experience it. Together with our partners we can continue to take action, and build safer communities for all our residents.”

Councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services at Bedford Borough Council said; “This ASB Awareness Week, I'm proud of the collaborative efforts we've seen across Bedford Borough, working alongside Bedfordshire Police and other partners.

"By working together, we can build safer, stronger communities for residents and businesses in Bedford Borough."

To report ASB in your area, visit our online reporting centre.