Even though the Thames Valley has one of the lowest incidences of anti-social behaviour in the country, it is still striking how often the issue is raised with me in my surgeries or on the doorstep. Whether it’s problematic neighbours, drug dealing going on close by or fly-tipping on your street: these things can make neighbourhoods feel unsafe and have a significant effect on personal well-being. When I was out last weekend in Donnington with an army of volunteers litter-picking with the Parish Council, I was struck by the amount of rubbish that had just been chucked into the roadside with total disregard for the community.
This week the Government announced a new Anti-Social Behaviour Plan that is focused on a new rapid reporting model, that will both increase financial penalties and introduce community payback solutions which will be set by the communities themselves.
A new digital reporting tool is being developed which will allow for localised reporting of anti-social behaviour, supported by targeted localised policing. This is important because although official Police reports show that instances of anti-social behaviour have fallen by more than half since 2012, the Government has recognised that many people do not report it because current methods of contacting the police take too long and some feel that it will not be treated seriously. This means low level incidences can go unreported and unresolved. The new tool will mean that problematic areas can be flagged early, and people will get updates on what action has been taken following their report – to ensure accountability and to give communities confidence that their concerns have been listened to.
There will be new laws to ban nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) and to give the police enhanced powers to charge problematic individuals, prohibit nuisance activity and address anti-social street activity. They will also have powers to issue increased on-the-spot fines – up to £1000 for fly-tipping (from £400 now) and £500 for litter and graffiti (up from £150 now). The 111 new Police Officers that have been recruited in West Berkshire since 2019 will play a vital role in supporting this work, and an additional £160 million will be made available to the Police and Councils to support enforcement.
New community payback schemes, rather than other forms of sentencing, are being piloted across the country to ensure that justice is visible and proportionate. Local people will have a say in how payback hours are used through consultation with the Probation service (and a relaunched community payback nominations website), community leaders and Police and Crime Commissioners, with offenders required to repair the damage, pick up litter or remove the graffiti within 48 hours of their offence.
Of course there is no magic bullet for anti-social behaviour and plenty of efforts in the past have fallen by the wayside. But utilising technology to make it easier to report, giving the police new powers to make it easier to act, and righting wrongs within 48 hours should help to make communities safe and secure.
You can read the Government's Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan here.