Police Commissioner committed to partnership approach to tackling Anti-Social Behaviour

TO MARK the UK’s first ever national Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) week (19^th July – 25^th July), Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Darryl Preston, is pledging his commitment to work with partners to tackle ASB.

The week is being held to raise awareness about the impact ASB can have on victims as well as encouraging local organisations to work together to stem the issue.

“ASB can devastate communities, disrupt the day to day lives of many and can make people feel unsafe in their villages, towns or cities,” says Darryl.

“Having met with people in communities across the county, I know that for many ASB is a concern. Not all ASB is a crime which is why it needs a joint approach. I want to reassure people that I will do what I can to ensure all agencies take these reports seriously and use their collective resources to stamp it out.” 

ASB is defined as behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to those not living in the same household.

There are three main categories for ASB:

• Personal ASB is when a person targets a specific individual or group.
• Nuisance ASB is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.
• Environmental ASB is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.

The Commissioner has featured ASB as an early priority area within his Police and Crime Plan currently out to public survey.

“The priorities presented in my current survey are the result of conversations I have been having with the public and representatives across the country but are by no means final,” Darryl continues.

“I want to know what matters most to those living and working in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Feedback received will help inform the content of the full Plan and detailed priorities as it is developed.”

A link to the survey which closes on 30^th July can be found here: www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk

Anyone wishing to share their views by telephone or email can do so by calling the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner on 0300 333 3456 or by emailing cambs-pcc@cambs.pnn.police.uk.

The Victim of Witness Hub provides free emotional and practical support to anyone who becomes a victim of crime. This service, funded by the Commissioner, is available regardless of whether the crime has been reported to the police.

Those wishing to access support can call the freephone advice number on 0800 781 6818 or visit: www.cambsvictimservices.co.uk