19 Jul 2021

We have joined a national campaign that is bringing together people and organisations from across the country to take a stand against anti-social behaviour (ASB) and make communities safer.

We are working with a number of different partners including, Luton Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council and housing associations to tackle anti-social behaviour across the county.

To mark the launch of the UK’s first official ASB Awareness Week we will be sharing the work our teams do to tackle ASB, coming together with partners on a day of action against ASB, highlighting the partnership work that goes on and sharing advice and support for people who are experiencing it.

Running from July 19 to 25, ASB Awareness Week – Making Communities Safer aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the options available to those facing it.

The week of action is bringing together people and organisations from across the country to take a stand and work together to make communities safer.

Organised by community safety specialists Resolve, ASB Awareness Week is being backed by the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Local Government Association (LGA), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC).

Chief Inspector Jamie Langwith, the force’s lead on anti-social behaviour, said: “Some people may think of anti-social behaviour as low-level crime, but we understand that it can destroy the lives of victims and the communities they live in.

“ASB can come in many forms including vandalism, street drinking, littering and noise pollution.

“We take these issues very seriously and we work closely with our partners to use all the tools and powers available to us. This includes, Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), Community Protection Notices and Closure Orders.

“We also want to raise awareness of ‘Community Triggers’ available to our community. If you have reported ongoing ASB to either the police, council or housing provider and you feel that suitable action hasn’t been taken, you can activate a community trigger, which means you are entitled to have a review conducted.

“This is a powerful tool for our communities and will see all organisations work together with an aim to resolve the issue.

“If you are experiencing ASB in your area then please do report this to the council or to us through our online reporting tool, which will help to build an intelligence picture for our community policing team.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live and we are committed to making this happen.”

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Festus Akinbusoye, said: “Anti-social behaviour is one of the most reported issues by our residents and I am all too aware of how this adversely impacts our communities.

“From greater sanctions against ASB to residents making greater use of ASB Case Reviews, we can do better as agencies in tackling what can become a total nightmare for those affected by persistent offending. I fully support all the work to this end.”

Councillor Abbas Hussain, Portfolio Holder for Luton’s Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety, said: “This is a really important week in terms of highlighting the work we are doing as a partnership to improve our town, and to make it safer and cleaner for residents and communities.

“Our Neighbourhood Enforcement team do take these issues seriously, we do see them as important, and we are working to address them. People need to feel safe in the area they live.

“In addition, we announced our Town Centre Master Plan – our 15 year plan to reimagine the town centre, developed in conjunction with residents and business – last week and this action is key to seeing our ambition of a far better town centre realised.”

Rebecca Bryant OBE, chief executive of Resolve, said: “We need to change the way we think about ASB. It is not low-level crime. It devastates the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime.

“As the nation begins to recover from the impact of the pandemic and our society and economy celebrates the start of return to normal life, it is important that the challenge of ASB continues to be given the priority it needs nationally and locally so that people feel safe in their homes and communities.

“We are delighted to have Bedfordshire Police involved in this hugely important and successful campaign.

“It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home and community.”

For more information visit www.resolveuk.org.uk/asbawarenessweek

Find out more about Community Triggers, advice on ASB and how to report it on our website.