Today marks the start of Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week and Cumbria police is highlighting the work it does to tackle the issue.
It will look at what anti-social behaviour means, the effects it has on victims and the the community, and look behind the scenes at how the police address it.
Superintendent Matt Pearman said: “This awareness week provides us with a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the work officers and partner agencies do, every day, to tackle anti-social behaviour.
“This work can involve police officers and local partners on the streets responding to issues, but a lot of the intelligence and investigative work goes on behind the scenes.
“Anti-social behaviour can take many forms. It can occur when a person’s behaviour is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to another, not of the same household.
“Often it can be related to where a person lives or works which is why has such a personal impact on victim’s lives.
“Anti-social behaviour can often involve criminality ranging from public order offences to criminal damage or even hate crime.
“However, any level of anti-social behaviour can have a devastating effect on a victim.
“Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated by the police and partners.
“It creates a blight in society, negatively affecting individuals, their wider families, and whole communities.
“We will be using this week to show the public the work we are doing to tackle this area of crime.”
Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “Anti-social behaviour covers several types of crime so I am pleased to see the constabulary raising awareness around the different types and the effects it can have on a individuals and communities.
“ASB is raised with me regularly by the public who often find anti-social behaviour intimidating, it is unacceptable and no one should have to endure it.
“It is one of my priorities to reduce ASB and especially amongst young people – the sooner we, as a community, step in to help young people redirect their energy in to more positive avenues the less likely that they will become involved in the criminal justice system and this can only be a good thing, but policing ASB is not simply the role of the police, we all have responsibilities to reduce this crime.
Reports of anti-social behaviour can be made to police via www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
To report information completely anonymously, contact independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
To access tailored support for victims, without police involvement, contact independent charity Victim Support via Cumbria – Victim Support or via 0300 303 0157.
