Brentwood Borough Council has joined a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and keep people in the borough 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 had on them; 1 in 10 have moved. Despite this, over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witness of ASB did not report the ASB.
Brentwood Borough Council is urging members of the public not to suffer in silence if they experience ASB. Incidents around intimidation or harassment, litter, and fly-tipping are some of the ASB issues that people can report to the council, or if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger, report to the Police.
In the last two months, the Council’s Community Safety and Enforcement Team have conducted 50 hours of ASB patrols around the borough, including Hutton, Ingatestone, Navestock, Pilgrims Hatch and Warley.
Councillor Ben Rigby, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “I am pleased that Brentwood High Street was recently announced as one of the 15 targeted hotspot areas of Essex to receive funding to drive down ASB behaviour. The new funding will be used for extra high-visibility police patrols, community safety patrols, youth outreach work and crime intervention projects.
“In Brentwood town centre, we have CCTV, monitored 24 hours a day, and the new Town Rangers that patrol Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone High Streets – thanks to funding by the Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District.
"Other initiatives include changes to our multi-storey car park in Coptfold Road and improved parking in William Hunter Way which will reduce ASB and ensure residents and businesses can use our streets safely."
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 Brentwood Borough Council is supporting this hugely important campaign. It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.”