Addressing ASB concerns in Holbeach

Addressing ASB concerns in Holbeach

Recent incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) have caused concern among residents and business owners in Holbeach. While those involved are believed to represent a small minority of young people, we recognise the effect this behaviour can have on the wider community and the importance of ensuring people feel safe where they live and work.

We are aware of a petition circulating that has been set up by a local resident, calling for action to be taken to address this ASB.  We recognise the concerns highlighted in this petition. Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach. While we will take enforcement action where necessary, long-term solutions are most effective when police, local authorities, schools, youth services, families and the wider community work together.

We have increased patrols in Holbeach in response to concerns raised by residents and businesses, and neighbourhood officers continue to focus their activity where intelligence and reports suggest they are most needed. We appreciate the belief that visible policing can play an important role in reassuring communities and deterring anti-social behaviour, yet resources must be balanced across the county and demand can fluctuate, we will continue to direct officers to areas of concern whenever operational circumstances allow.

Inspector Paul Smith of South Holland’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We continue to carry out targeted patrols and work closely with partners to both address offending behaviour and support young people to make positive choices. Like many public services, we must balance finite resources against competing demands, but we will continue to focus our efforts where they are most needed and where they can have the greatest impact.

"We have used a range of measures to address concerns, including the introduction of dispersal powers and the issuing of three dispersal notices. Investigations remain ongoing to identify those involved in reported incidents.

"We would particularly encourage parents and guardians to have open conversations with their children about their activities, who they spend time with, and the consequences that anti-social behaviour can have on individuals, business, the wider community and indeed their own futures.

"Alongside enforcement activity, which has also included high-visibility patrols and plain-clothed deployments, we are working closely with partner agencies to tackle the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour. We are also working alongside Children's Services and Youth Justice partners to ensure that appropriate support, interventions and safeguarding measures are in place where needed, helping to steer young people away from further involvement in anti-social behaviour.

"Our approach is always to engage early, offering support and opportunities for young people to make positive choices. However, where anti-social behaviour persists, or where opportunities to address concerns are not taken up, we will work with partners to consider a range of proportionate interventions. These may include acceptable behaviour agreements, warning notices, civil powers or, where criminal offences have been committed, criminal investigations.

"Young people may also be referred to multi-agency intervention panels, which bring together relevant professionals to identify the most appropriate support and measures to help prevent further offending.

Councillor Anthony Casson, South Holland District Council Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said: “We remain committed to working with our partners and the community to keep Holbeach a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

“The Council works closely with Lincolnshire Police and other statutory partners through a well-established multi-agency approach to community safety.

“Whilst recent incidents have understandably caused concern within the community, it is important to note that enforcement activity is not limited to short-term operations. Where individuals are identified as being involved in anti-social behaviour, partners utilise Lincolnshire's county-wide incremental approach to tackling ASB. This graduated process allows agencies to intervene proportionately, escalating action where behaviour continues. This can include warning letters, acceptable behaviour agreements, parenting interventions, tenancy action, Community Protection Warnings and Notices, Criminal Behaviour Orders, injunctions and other enforcement powers where appropriate.”

The Council and its partners will continue to work together to identify those responsible for anti-social behaviour and take appropriate action. Where criminal offences are identified, Lincolnshire Police remain the lead agency and the Council will support police colleagues through information sharing, joint patrols, intelligence gathering and problem-solving activity.

Reporting matters

The most valuable support our community can provide is to continue reporting incidents as they occur. Timely reporting enables agencies to build an evidence base, identify those responsible and take appropriate action.

When reporting incidents, residents should provide as much detail as possible including:

For incidents involving crime, disorder, threats, criminal damage, violence or where an immediate police response is required, residents should contact:

Lincolnshire Police

For ongoing anti-social behaviour concerns, nuisance issues or to share information with the Council's Community Safety Team, residents can contact:

South Holland District Council Community Safety Team

We strongly urge all residents to continue reporting incidents to the appropriate agency, as robust reporting and intelligence gathering are essential in enabling partners to identify offenders and direct appropriate resource to be able to take effective action.