Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Devon & Cornwall Police, as in previous years, has joined a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and keep people in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly safe.

Running from 18 - 24 November, ASB Awareness Week 2024 aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it. The week is organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation.

YouGov research commissioned by Resolve found that almost 1 in 5 people nationally have considered moving home because of the impact ASB was having on them, and 1 in 10 have actually moved. Despite this, over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witness of ASB did not report the ASB.

Devon & Cornwall Police is urging members of the public not to suffer in silence if they experience ASB. Incidents can be reported to the anti-social behaviour team at their local council, or to the Police.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew for Devon & Cornwall Police said: “We understand the impact anti-social behaviour can have. I would always encourage people to continue to report antisocial behaviour, in order that we can respond at the time or, if appropriate, forward to your local neighbourhood policing team so that they can investigate the matters. If there is an immediate danger then you should use 999, but you can also report by calling 101, from the Report button on our website front page or by visiting our police enquiry offices”.

Information about types of ASB and how to report it can be found on the Devon & Cornwall Police website by searching for “ASB” or at this link:  https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/asb/asb/antisocial-behaviour 

ACC Mayhew continued: “We take all reports of ASB seriously. To keep informed on the work of your neighbourhood policing team you can follow them on social media, or you can sign up for our community messaging system via this website https://alerts.dc.police.uk/

“We’d also like to hear from you about what you think of our work in your community in general. You can take part in an ongoing community survey via this link https://alerts-survey.dc.police.uk/Survey/REGISTRATION/CF870918199193EEA65C2B36EFFC6C09

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said: “Anti-social behaviour has an impact on peoples’ quality of life. It includes hate crime, continuous noise or parties, vandalism, misuse of communal areas or public spaces, criminal behaviour, alcohol related disturbances, nuisance vehicle noise, verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation or threatening behaviour and isn’t limited to urban areas. I am committed to ending its toxic influence on our communities.”

“Please do contact the appropriate authority about ASB in your area. If you have reported incidents of anti-social behaviour relating to same problem, three or more times within the past six months, and where there are further actions available to resolve the case, you can request a review from Devon & Cornwall Police or from your local authority.”

Here is all the information about the ASB case review: https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/asb/sf/asb-case-review

Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive of Resolve added: “ASB is not low-level. It can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime.

“It is important that the challenge of ASB continues to be given the priority it needs so that people everywhere feel safe in their homes and communities.  

“We are delighted that Devon & Cornwall Police is supporting this hugely important campaign. It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.”

For more information about ASB Awareness Week – visit www.resolveuk.org.uk  

Pictured: Hotspot policing is all about reducing antisocial behaviour (ASB) through focused foot patrols, often in conjunction with local authority Street Marshals, as in these examples from Bideford, Camborne and St Austell.