Northamptonshire Police launches new plan to tackle antisocial behaviour

Northamptonshire Police has published a new Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) Action Plan, setting out how the Force will work with partners and local communities to reduce, prevent and respond to ASB across the county.

The plan forms part of our commitment to the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which outlines what the public can expect from their neighbourhood policing teams, including a strong focus on tackling ASB.

Over the next 12 months, Northamptonshire Police will work to deliver eight key objectives designed to put victims first, strengthen early intervention, and ensure a robust problem-solving approach to issues that are persistent or recurring. These objectives include:

• Placing victims’ needs at the heart of the Force’s response.
• Using the full range of powers and legislation available to address offending.
• Prioritising visibility and accessibility of neighbourhood policing teams, especially in areas most affected by ASB.
• Working closely with partners to prevent ASB by tackling underlying causes and identifying long-term solutions.
• Making use of data to better understand the antisocial behaviour problem in greater depth.

Superintendent Paul Cash, the Force’s ASB lead and Head of Prevention and Intervention, said:

“Antisocial behaviour has a real and lasting impact on people’s lives, and tackling it remains one of our top priorities. This action plan sets out how we will work together with our partners and communities to prevent ASB, support victims, and deal with those responsible.

“There are a range of powers and interventions available to us, from community resolutions and civil orders to criminal proceedings when necessary.

“Effective neighbourhood policing is at the heart of this approach. When officers are part of the community, they know the faces, the streets and the stories. They listen, support, and act – whether that’s tackling ASB, protecting the vulnerable, or patrolling local hotspots.

“Public engagement is absolutely key. If we don’t know about ASB, we can’t take action. We need communities to keep reporting issues so we can respond and find long-term solutions.”

Visible policing where it matters most

Over the past two years, hotspot funding from the Home Office has allowed the Force to increase high visibility patrols in town centres where crime and ASB are most likely to occur. These patrols are in addition to daily neighbourhood policing activity and have focused on deterring and tackling ASB, violent offences, theft and shoplifting.

This extra funding has helped increase officer hours on the streets, contributing to a positive impact in targeted locations. Northamptonshire Police will continue to prioritise visible neighbourhood policing in both urban and rural communities where data shows that ASB is an issue.

Working in partnership

The action plan also reinforces the need for all partners to be fully engaged to deliver effective neighbourhood policing.

Superintendent Cash added: “Identifying and targeting antisocial behaviour hotspots will continue to be a key part of daily business for our neighbourhood teams, while working together with partners, sharing data, skills and resources, is essential in helping to identify problems early and prevent them from escalating.

“Using a problem-solving approach is the most effective way of preventing crime and ASB. When policing, partners and the public work together to address local concerns and find practical solutions, communities become safer and stronger as a result.”

Reporting ASB

The Force is encouraging residents to continue reporting antisocial behaviour so that officers and partner agencies can take timely and effective action.

Antisocial behaviour can be reported to Northamptonshire Police online at www.northants.police.uk/RO or via the police non-emergency number, 101. You can also use the Live Chat service, which is available 24/7 via the Force website.

Sometimes, the local council may be better placed to help resolve the matter, depending on the type of anti-social behaviour.

Superintendent Cash advised: “Anyone affected by or who witnesses anti-social behaviour of any kind is urged to report it to the police or council.

“Of course, if it is an emergency and someone is at risk of being hurt, people should call police on 999. Otherwise, the easiest way to report anti-social behaviour is online via the police or council website, where you’ll be asked about what’s happening and directed to whoever is best placed to deal with that particular issue.”

A summary of the all the action plan objectives can be found here and below.

The full ASB Action Plan can be viewed here.