Police forces in England and Wales receive funding boost to tackle anti-social behaviour

Each police force in England and Wales is set to receive a minimum of £1m to ramp up patrols, specifically aimed at addressing violence and disorder prevalent in areas marked by high levels of anti-social behaviour.

With a total funding allocation of £66m for England and Wales, this financial boost will allow each force to deploy uniformed patrols for up to 20,000 hours annually in identified ‘hotspot’ areas. This initiative aims to reduce crime and enhance public confidence in local law enforcement. Across all 43 force areas, it is anticipated that this funding will support between 600,000 and 900,000 hours of hotspot patrols in the coming year.

The approach has already undergone successful trials in 10 areas, resulting in over 80,000 hours of patrols in the past six months. During this period, the initiative has led to nearly 600 arrests, approximately 1,500 stop-and-search incidents, and around 700 applications of anti-social behaviour powers, such as community protection notices and public protection orders.

Notably, the hotspot model has demonstrated a 40% reduction in anti-social behaviour in Brunswick, Lancashire, and has contributed to almost halving incidents in Southend, Essex, over the last 12 months.

“Anti-social behaviour is a blight on so many people’s lives, undermining their sense of security and wellbeing. The anti-social behaviour hotspot pilots have demonstrated what can be achieved by concentrating efforts on problem areas and following a zero-tolerance approach to drug taking, loitering and fly-tipping.

“Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) know from their engagement with communities, how the public want the tackling of anti-social behaviour to be prioritised and PCCs have led in the development of the direct approaches used in the ten pilot areas, involving the deployment of both police officers and community-based wardens.

“PCCs welcome the funding for this initiative to be extended to every force area in England and Wales and will continue to work directly with the public to ensure that the areas and activities targeted are both effective and visible.”

Steve Turner, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Joint Lead on Local Policing.

The funding will be directed towards areas marked by a high prevalence of violence, anti-social behaviour, and illegal public drug consumption, aiming to enhance community safety and curb drug-related violence.

At a recent National Policing Board meeting, the Home Secretary highlighted the importance of addressing visible crime as a top priority for law enforcement, acknowledging its significant impact on public confidence.

“Tackling violence on our streets and ASB in our communities are top priorities for policing because they can have such a corrosive impact on people’s lives and wider society.

“Residents often tell us they want to see more uniformed officers out in their local area and this additional funding will not only help forces to enhance their current activity, but it will enable them to target their resources to hotspot areas, where criminal activity is most concentrated and areas most at risk of harm.

“I welcome any measure which helps to reduce reports of ASB, violence and disorder and show our communities just how seriously we take these issues.”

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Anti-Social Behaviour.

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