Rochford District Council has joined a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and keep people in the District safe.
Running from November 18 - 24, ASB Awareness Week aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.
Organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, the week features a series of events across the UK involving Councils, Police Forces, Housing Associations, charities, community groups and sports clubs.
YouGov research commissioned by Resolve found that almost 1 in 5 people have had to consider moving home because of the impact ASB was having on them; 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.
Rochford District Council is urging members of the public not to suffer in silence if they experience ASB. Incidents can be reported to your Housing Association, or the council for ASB issues including noise nuisance and fly-tipping, or to the Police if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger.
Councillor Lisa Newport, Chair of the Communities, Wellbeing & Housing Committee said, "Our Community Safety Partnership brings together all the agencies involved in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. As a partnership, we were successful in securing Home Office Safer Streets funding, and among projects it funded were Taxi Marshals, these were used during the Euros, as a reassuring presence and to reduce ASB whilst people were waiting for transport home after watching the games in local pubs. We are lucky enough to have secured enough funding to have them throughout other busy times of the year too.
“It is also the 1st anniversary of CCTV being installed in Rayleigh High Street, which is monitored 24 hours a day, improving security in the High Street. We will continue to look at funding opportunities that support making our District a safer environment for people to live, work and visit.”
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 Rochford District Council is supporting this hugely important campaign. It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.”