For Antisocial Behavior Awareness Week from 18-24 November, we will be raising awareness of its devastating impact on our communities. We want to send a strong message to the public that everyone has the right to feel safe where they live and that we all have a role to play.

ASB is not a low level problem

While anti-social behavior (ASB) is not always classed as a crime, offenses often include elements of ASB. The umbrella term covers a wide range of issues, from noise nuisance, littering, dog fouling and vandalism to swearing and shouting, bullying and harassment, drunkenness and drug-related activities. Depending on the offense and whether it is a criminal or civil matter, both the police and local authorities deal with ASB reports from the public.

These behaviors may be seen as low-level problems, but the reality is that for many people, persistent ASB can cause harassment, alarm or distress to those experiencing it.

In the words of one resident who was subjected to nearly two years of prolonged unpleasant and intimidating behavior from a neighbor: “It sounds modest, but it just wears you out. It’s constant and it gets unbearable at times.”

Empowering you to take action

This week, Avon and Somerset Police will join government, civil service, other police and fire services, Historic England, housing providers, local authorities and community groups across the UK to share information and enable people to report antisocial and community safety issues to the appropriate agencies.

We will also share the story of a Minehead family to show the personal impact of ASB and the power of careful evidence gathering and victim statements in progressing a case and achieving positive outcomes. These factors were key to successful closing of the good criminal in October.

We encourage you to report persistent ASB through our web form: Report Antisocial Behavior | Avon and Somerset Police

ASB can be a precursor to a serious crime and your report could:

• Initiate a necessary intervention

• Provide support to those affected

• Prevent escalation to a critical incident.

Preventing escalation of behavior

Our dedicated ASB teams work with neighborhood policing teams, local authorities and housing associations to support victims and deal with offenders proportionately using a range of ASB powers.

Interventions range from warning letters and acceptable behavior contracts to more formal court orders, such as Criminal Behavior Orders (CBOs) and injunctions, granted at the request of the police. These orders restrict people who are persistently involved in ASB from visiting certain locations or carrying out certain behaviours.

Between January and October this year, 56 CBOs and 45 enforcement orders were issued to prevent harmful behavior from escalating.

For 2023–24, ASB coordinators saw a 11 percent demand growth, management 833 interventions to date compared with 753 the interventions they managed in 2022-2023.

These are step-by-step interventions that increase in severity when the ASB’s previous powers and offers of support have been exhausted. Early intervention and prevention tactics such as diversion schemes and support networks for vulnerable people will continue to be our preferred approach to law enforcement.

The ASB approach is a team effort

North Somerset Council recently reported a 76 percent reducing ASB and a 60 percent reducing crime in Weston-super-Mare thanks to the effective partnership between the police, the council and the Weston Business Improvement District (BID).

In July, Alexandra Parade in the city center saw high levels of disorder associated with street drinking, leading to a loss of trade for businesses and reports of local residents feeling unsafe in the area. A multi-agency plan was set up to tackle these issues, resulting in arrests, interventions and educational opportunities for licensed premises to ensure they are trading legally and responsibly – for example, not selling to people who are intoxicated or sell unique cases of alcohol in their case. the license does not allow.

These positive results follow those of Avon and Somerset Police recent announcement which the officers delivered over 4,500 additional patrols targeting ASB and serious violence this year in collaboration with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and local authorities. These Home Office-funded patrols are ongoing and are being delivered to 72 locations where problems have been widely and continuously reported.

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Chief Inspector Scott Hill, Forced lead for anti-social behavioursaid: “Antisocial behavior can make people’s lives a misery and we are working hard to reduce its impact on our communities.

“If the destructive behavior of others is causing harm to you and others, please do not suffer in silence and report it today.

“Thanks to the dedication and efforts of our ASB co-ordinators, policing teams and local partners, we have seen a positive difference in places like Weston-super-Mare town centre. Furthermore, only last week our teams obtained closure orders for two properties in Bristol where the actions of occupiers were causing distress to residents.

“We will continue to focus our resources on areas affected by anti-social behaviour, making our streets a safer place for all.”

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Clare Moody, Police and Crime Commissionersaid: “I hear from people in Avon and Somerset about the impact anti-social behavior is having on their lives. It’s not just a nuisance; it can disrupt entire communities, make people feel unsafe in their own homes and lead to more serious crime if left unchecked.

“Strengthening neighborhood policing to help tackling anti-social behavior is one of my priorities, because everyone deserves to feel safe and supported where they live. We have seen the difference that is made through partnership working, targeted patrols and the tireless efforts of the police, councils and community groups.

“I know we can achieve even more by continuing to work together, listening to those affected and taking action to prevent harm and create safer and stronger communities.”

Report Report Report

While you may not see a response immediately after submitting a report, each one is valuable and helps us build an accurate picture of the information. This allows our teams to efficiently target resources to the areas where they are most needed.

The fastest way to report ASB is via our web form: Report Antisocial Behavior | Avon and Somerset Police

Alternatively, you can visit your local information office.

We encourage you to use the StreetSafe app to anonymously report safety issues in public spaces: Report feeling unsafe in public spaces (StreetSafe) | Avon and Somerset Police This tool is not for reporting crimes.

If you are in immediate danger, always call 999.