All-round effort needed in ongoing battle against antisocial behaviour

New attempts to tackle a rise in antisocial behaviour incidents in Devon and Cornwall are already beginning to show positive results, a conference has been told

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ATEST data shows the number of antisocial behaviour (ASB) incidents recorded by Devon and Cornwall Police rose by 9.9% over the 12 months to February.

Over the year 2,302 more incidents were recorded, with the most common being rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour - representing about 65% of all incidents - followed by rowdy nuisance neighbours and street drinking.

ASB is defined as behaviour which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, has listed ASB as one of the key priorities of the new Police and Crime Plan 2025-29, which sets out the strategic priorities for policing in the area.

Now the Office of the Police Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has hosted a conference with the them of Tackling Antisocial Behaviour Together.

Those present included’ representatives of the police, councils, OPCC-commissioned services and the Community Safety Partnership, as well as individual councillors volunteering as councillor advocates.

They were told key initiatives funded by the OPCC and other sources, alongside collaborative working, were delivering improved outcomes. These initiatives include: » Hotspot policing » Street marshals » The Safer Streets project » The ASB Victim Support Service » The ASB Youth Outreach Service » A dedicated police legal advisor on ASB » The ASB Mediation Service » The Councillor advocate scheme.

The OPCC says these programmes have made significant progress in tackling ASB, as well as reducing violence, in problem areas throughout Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.