A matter of priority: Northamptonshire Police backs national anti-social behaviour awareness week

Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a priority for Northamptonshire Police, and to support its work in this area the Force is backing the UK’s first national anti-social behaviour awareness week.

ASB is one of four matters of priority named by the Force for 2021/22, alongside serious organised crime, domestic abuse and knife crime.

The priorities were identified in part due to the actual threat and risk they pose to communities across Northamptonshire, in particular the most vulnerable, but also because the public have told us that overall, these are the areas they most want our officers to tackle.

Chief Superintendent Ash Tuckley, head of local policing at Northamptonshire Police, oversees the work the Force does to address ASB.

He said: “ASB affects quality of life for many people, and can be a breeding ground for future offenders and organised criminality.

“Because the impact of ASB can be so serious, we’ve made it one of our four matters of priority for the coming year, with the aim of stopping incidents escalating or repeating themselves, helping those who suffer as a result of ASB and also addressing the behaviour of those responsible for ASB.

“Our communities shouldn’t have to put up with a small number of people repeatedly causing issues, and our committed response to ASB is already seeing us directing targeted and innovative action so we can play our part, alongside our partners, in reducing incidents and improving people’s lives.”

Organised by community safety organisation Resolve, ASB Awareness Week kicks off today, Monday, July 19, and brings together housing associations, councils, police forces, charities and other agencies – along with government departments – to take a stand and work together to make communities safer.

Chief Supt Tuckley added: “We’re proud to be supporting the first ever ASB Awareness Week and will be taking part in a range of activities to promote what we and our partners are doing to address and prevent ASB in order to improve people’s lives.

“Everyone has the right to live safely and in peace, so if you’re affected by ASB, we are here to help you. Non-emergency reports can be made by calling 101 or going online, and in an emergency you should always call 999.”

Find out more about ASB Awareness Week here.

Read advice and information on how the police can help with ASB.

Report non-emergency crime, including ASB issues, online at www.northants.police.uk/RO