West Yorkshire Police has joined a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and keep people across the county safe.
Running from July 3 to 9, ASB Awareness Week 2023 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 all across the UK involving councils, police forces, housing associations, charities, community groups and sports clubs.
The Force is holding a wide-range of events and activities across its five Policing Districts (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield) to mark the return of ASB Awareness Week for 2023.
Recent YouGov research commissioned by Resolve found that almost 1 in 5 people have had to consider moving home because of the impact anti-social behaviour was having on them; 1 in 10 have actually moved. Despite this, over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witness of anti-social behaviour did not report it.
West Yorkshire Police urges people not to suffer in silence if they experience anti-social behaviour. Incidents can be reported to the anti-social behaviour team at the local Council, or to the Police if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger.
Officers from our NPT teams will be taking part in a wide-range of activities during the week.
These include visits to schools where assemblies or workshops will be delivered, issuing guidance and literature on anti-social behaviour, drop-in sessions and ‘street surgeries’ for help and advice, increased patrols in town centres and areas of concern including joint patrols with partner agencies, speed checks and dealing with nuisance vehicles.
Inspector Michelle Swift of West Yorkshire Police’s Local Policing Team said:
“West Yorkshire Police works closely with partner organisations to ensure that our communities are kept safe from the threat, risk and harm posed by anti-social behaviour.
“This awareness weeks highlights the work of our dedicated neighbourhood teams in tackling anti-social behaviour and gives them the opportunity to plan activities, patrols and targeted operations in areas where it is a key concern for residents.
“We would encourage people to report any concerns they may have about anti-social behaviour, so appropriate action can be taken to address them.
“Reports can be made by calling 101, or by using the LiveChat feature on the West Yorkshire Police website.
“They can also be emailed directly to your Neighbourhood Policing Team whose contact details can be found on the My Neighbourhood page of our website.”
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 West Yorkshire Police is supporting this hugely important campaign. It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.”
For more information about ASB Awareness Week – visit www.resolveuk.org.uk
Or visit Anti-social Behaviour | West Yorkshire Police.
To report Anti-Social Behaviour, call 101.
Or call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
