New ASB officers to combat antisocial behaviour
Ashfield’s ongoing commitment to drive down antisocial behaviour (ASB) will see the district benefit from a new programme delivering justice for victims by requiring perpetrators to give something back to their communities.
Reports of antisocial behaviour across the area are down by more than a third over the last two years thanks to efforts by the council’s Community Safety team, working closely with Nottinghamshire Police, other agencies and local communities.
That has been made possible by Ashfield successfully bidding for Safer Streets Funding of almost £1.5 million in recent years to make the district safer and stronger.
Now, in a move that reinforces the council’s commitment to go further, two additional officers focused solely on tackling antisocial behaviour will be taken on across Ashfield.
They are being funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Immediate Justice programme to show communities, in a very visible way, that antisocial behaviour is being treated seriously and with urgency, whilst acting as a deterrent to the minority who think it’s acceptable to break the law and cause antisocial behaviour in the District.
Ashfield is the only Council in Notts to get more than one post and Cllr John Willmott, Executive Leader Member for Community Safety and Crime Reduction at Ashfield District Council, said:
“Our commitment is to a safer and stronger Ashfield, so being able to devote dedicated resource to tackling, and hopefully reversing, antisocial behaviour in our communities will help enormously.
“Over the last two years ASB has fallen by more than third but we know the negative impact it can have, especially when persistent behaviour; this directly affects the quality of people’s lives. Our new antisocial behaviour officers will be working to prevent ASB using a range of intervention measures, alongside being equipped with the tools to take robust action where necessary.”
The new officers will crack down on fly-tipping, littering, noise nuisance and other types of ASB and be able to refer offenders into the Immediate Justice scheme as an out-of-court disposal for their offence, although they will also have powers to issue fines.
It is hoped the new posts will be filled in the coming weeks and months.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said:
“I’ve heard firsthand the distress caused by antisocial behaviour. Funding these new Antisocial Behaviour Officers marks a significant step in our commitment to tackle these issues head-on.”
The Immediate Justice project was launched in Nottinghamshire in January and ensures people who commit antisocial behaviour or low-level offences are made to clean up public spaces or take part in other positive community activities – within days of their offence.
