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One in seven Brits has considered moving home as a result of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in their local area, new research has revealed.
According to the YouGov Making Communites Safer report—which was published yesterday to coincide with the start of Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week—one in four people (28%) feel unsafe where they live, while 14% of people say ASB has had an impact on their mental health and 15% say that ASB has made them not want to go to their local shop.
Leading community safety organisation, Resolve, which commissioned the research and runs ASB Awareness Week, said we must do better when it comes to supporting victims of ASB.
Chief Executive of Resolve, Rebecca Bryant OBE, said: “It is therefore sadly no surprise that 60% of people think more needs to be done to tackle ASB, and that ASB has forced more than 1 in 7 (16%) of us to consider moving home.”
ASB Awareness Week is a full week of action supported by national stakeholders, including HM Government, the Civil Service, all police and fire forces in the country and thousands of housing providers, local authorities and community groups.
“Anti-social behaviour is not ‘low-level’ crime or just a nuisance. It has real life consequences, corroding people’s freedom, damaging their mental health, and ultimately undermining their sense of home.
“This government will not accept this. As part of our Safer Streets Mission we will deliver thousands of extra neighbourhood police and community support officers and bring in tougher measures to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour.
“Too often when these incidents are reported there is the feeling that no one comes, and nothing is done. That is why initiatives like ASB Awareness Week really matter – we want victims to know that they can report anti-social behaviour, that it will be acted upon and that they are not alone.”
Dame Diana Johnson, the Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire
‘A key priority for the public’
Marking the start of ASB Awareness Week, APCC Joint Leads on Local Policing, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) Matt Storey and Chris Nelson, said ASB can have a profound impact on people’s quality of life and detrimentally affect communities.
“As Police and Crime Commissioners, we know that tackling anti-social behaviour is a key priority for the public. To reduce ASB and support victims, a collaborative cross-sector approach is needed, with local councils, housing providers, and community organisations playing vital roles alongside policing. We must work together to identify the root causes of ASB, too, to provide an evidence base for effective initiatives that stop people being drawn into this kind of harmful behaviour.
“PCCs and their equivalents are committed to holding their Chief Constables accountable for delivering a proactive response to anti-social behaviour, and to advocating for resources that enable effective community intervention and victim services.
“We encourage individuals who experience anti-social behaviour to report it to their local authorities or police. By coming forward, you can help ensure that communities receive the support and interventions they need, and that ASB is addressed effectively.”
Matt Storey and Chris Nelson, APCC Joint Leads on Local Policing, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs)
Download the full Making Communites Safer report for more insights.
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