ASB Awareness shines spotlight on engagement work

ASB Awareness Week provided an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the engagement work taking place across Suffolk to tackle anti-social behaviour, support victims and build stronger relationships with our communities.

While the week itself only lasts a few days, the activity submitted by neighbourhood teams demonstrates the commitment shown throughout the year by officers, PCSOs, Specials, staff and partner agencies working together to address the issues that matter most to local people.

Across the county, teams delivered more than 90 engagement events, shared over 40 social media messages, carried out well over 140 hours of dedicated patrol activity and supported a wide range of operations, educational initiatives and partnership events.

Some of the highlights included Halesworth Community Policing Team (CPT) delivering 12 engagement events and working closely with East Suffolk Council Communities Officers. Officers carried out ‘Street a Week’ events in Framlingham and conducted targeted patrols around Leiston Recreation Ground in response to local concerns.

Lowestoft CPT delivered 18 engagement events and carried out 90 hours of ASB patrols during the week. Working alongside East Suffolk Council, local businesses and community organisations, officers supported a range of events across Lowestoft, Bungay and Beccles. The team received positive feedback from businesses regarding efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town centre. Positive enforcement action included Public Space Protection Order interventions, fixed penalty notices and the seizure of e-bikes being used unlawfully.

In the south of the county, Ipswich Central CPT worked alongside Ipswich Borough Council, park wardens, traffic enforcement officers and community groups to address concerns across the town. Activity included hotspot patrols in key locations, work with local schools and targeted action to address anti-social behaviour and associated offending. Positive outcomes included the issuing of Community Protection Warning Letters, arrests, stop searches resulting in the recovery of cannabis and the seizure of an e-scooter. Meanwhile, Ipswich East CPT recorded 23 separate engagement activities.

In west Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds CPT maintained a visible presence across the week through a mixture of engagement events, partnership activity and joint patrol work. Officers worked alongside housing providers and community partners, supported ongoing operational activity and took positive action following reports of anti-social behaviour linked to an e-scooter in a local shopping centre, resulting in the vehicle being seized.

Stowmarket CPT engagement activity ranged from community ‘pop-up’ events to educational sessions using virtual reality technology with young people. The team also carried out patrols targeting concerns around anti-social behaviour, vehicle nuisance and youth violence, disrupted suspected fly-tipping activity, undertook stop searches and worked closely with partner agencies to identify longer-term solutions to issues affecting local communities.

Chief Supt Janine Wratten said: “We acknowledge the frustration that residents and businesses experience with any anti-social behaviour or criminal damage so it’s important to make clear tackling ASB is an all year round commitment for us and we remain grateful for the valuable role that the public play in being vigilant and reporting it to us.”

“One of the strongest themes running throughout the results was the quality of partnership working. Whether working alongside local authority councils, housing associations, schools, businesses, charities, councillors, wardens or community groups, teams consistently highlighted the value of bringing organisations together to solve problems and support communities. It’s only together can we properly address ASB with co-ordinated multi agency working and we are very grateful for everyone’s support.”

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: "Anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on individuals, neighbourhoods and the wider community and it’s important that it is reported and addressed as swiftly as possible to avoid issues escalating. 

"Dealing with ASB is definitely not just a policing responsibility, so I am really pleased to see this multi-agency approach. It’s good to see the Constabulary working closely with local authorities and community safety partners to protect our communities from this unacceptable behaviour.

“I fully support the national ASB Awareness Week to highlight the issue and thank all the agencies involved in helping to keeping Suffolk a safe place to live, work, travel and invest.”

ASB Awareness Week also included a poster competition aimed at encouraging young people to think about the impact anti-social behaviour can have on others. 

The winning entry was designed by 10-year-old Elsie-Mae, whose artwork (attached) impressed judges and captured the spirit of the campaign. In recognition of her achievement, Elsie-Mae and her family will be invited to Police Headquarters in August, where they will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour, visit the Suffolk Police Museum and meet the Chief Constable, who will present her with a certificate.