Dorset Police supports ASB Awareness Week 2023
Dorset Police has joined a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and keep people in the county safe.
Running from July 3 to 9, ASB Awareness Week 2023 is organised by RESOLVE, an ASB and community safety organisation. It encourages communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.
Throughout the week, officers and PCSOs across Dorset will be visiting ASB hotspots, speaking to schools and businesses, and holding community drop-in events. Officers from the Special Constabulary will be deployed to support ASB Awareness Week, while the Safer Schools and Communities Team will hold surgeries on topics such as personal ASB and online behaviour, and drug and alcohol use.
National statistics show that ASB accounted for 28 per cent of total police recorded crime in the year ending September 2021, with around 1.7 million incidents recorded. Members of the public can find details of upcoming events and local priorities on the Dorset Police website.
However, recent YouGov research commissioned by RESOLVE found that almost 1 in 7 people have considered moving home because of the impact ASB was having on them. Despite this, over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witness of ASB did not report the ASB.
Dorset Police is encouraging members of the public not to suffer in silence if they experience ASB.
Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: “ASB impacts people’s quality of life and how safe they feel in their own homes or at work. Tackling ASB is a community effort which is why Dorset Police works with partners such as housing associations, Dorset Council and BCP Council throughout the year.
“But we should not forget how important the public are in stopping ASB in its tracks. When you report ASB, you are making your neighbourhood a safer place for you and your family. Reporting helps us to understand what and where ASB is happening in your community – if we don’t know about it, we can’t put a stop to it.
“Dorset Police is supportive of the ASB Case Review and encourages people who are experiencing persistent ASB that has not been resolved to consider using this tool. The review brings together all the relevant organisations to look at what has been done already and create new solutions. You can find more information about the threshold to activate a review on your local authority’s website.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said: “From the moment I came into office I have heard the concern around ASB from Dorset residents, which is why I made sure that to cut crime and ASB was a priority within my Police and Crime Plan and firmly on the agenda for Dorset Police.
“I am pleased that, since then, the Force have implemented a number of operations under the overarching banner of Operation Relentless across the county to tackle the issue and I am delighted that last year (2022/23) incidents of ASB decreased by 13% compared to 21/22.
“However, I understand that will mean little to you if you are currently suffering from ASB in your community and I remain committed to ensuring more is being done not just in enforcement but also in creating practical, workable, community-based solutions to ASB as we endeavour to make Dorset the safest county.”
To read the ASB Case Review guidance from BCP Council visit www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Communities/Anti-Social-Behaviour-Case-Review.
To read the ASB Case Review guidance from Dorset Council visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/asb-case-review.
Find your neighbourhood policing team by visiting www.dorset.police.uk/area/your-area/.
For more information about ASB Awareness Week visit www.resolveuk.org.uk.
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