“Hotspot” policing patrols get underway across Durham as part of a multiagency crackdown on ASB

Targeted policing patrols to clamp down on anti-social behaviour have come into force across Durham this week as the nation marks ASB Awareness Week.

County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has secured Home Office funding worth £2m over the next year to pilot urgent action to tackle ASB. Additional funding for the project is being provided in 2024/25.

ASB is consistently rated by Durham residents as a top priority.

Durham Constabulary, working in collaboration with multiagency partners including Durham County Council, Darlington Borough Council and the Fire and Rescue Service, is one of 16 ‘trailblazer’ areas to be implementing the government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan. The pilot will deliver robust enforcement in areas with the worst ASB problems and a new Immediate Justice service where perpetrators of ASB will receive swift and visible punishment in their communities within 48 hours of being reprimanded. It will also see the police working together with other agencies to develop sustainable solutions.

As ASB Awareness Week launched across England and Wales (3rd July), the first ‘hotspot’ policing patrols got underway across County Durham and Darlington. The aim is to increase the speed at which problems can be dealt with and help deter other offenders from bringing misery on their communities.

Activities will be monitored regularly to measure the success of the programme. Communities in the hotspot areas will see an increased presence of police and partners over the coming weeks. They will also see the roll out of Immediate Justice whereby those who commit ASB will be clearing their own mess.

Commissioner Allen said: “I have made it clear since I became Commissioner that I will not tolerate the torment and distress ASB offenders inflict on our communities.

“The roll out of ‘hotspot’ policing from this week will see ASB treated with the energy and urgency it deserves – this is what local people have told me they want.

“Durham is once again at the forefront of tough and decisive action to address the problems that cause grief and stress to our residents. This funding boost will help us tackle ASB head on and fulfil my promise to build safer, stronger and resilient communities.

“The Durham Constabulary area is already delivering outstanding results with ASB down 16.4 per cent over the last quarter of 2022-23. This investment will help us to keep the momentum going, and I will do everything I can as Commissioner to ensure the county receives the support it needs beyond this two-year programme.”

Deputy Chief Constable Ciaron Irvine said: “Anti-social behaviour is not a low-level crime, it can have a real and lasting impact on the communities we serve and we will do all we can to tackle the problem and deal with the perpetrators.

“Levels of anti-social behaviour have fallen sharply over recent months as a direct result of police and partner action, but more needs to be done because every member of our community should have the right to go about their lives free from intimidation and harassment.

“Crime and disorder are not evenly spread across our communities. A handful of persistent perpetrators can cause a disproportionate problem, or we see the same problems recurring at the same location again and again.

“This new approach and the welcome funding which goes with it means our officers and resources can be deployed to take effective action in those hot spot areas where they are needed most.”

 Amanda Riley, Darlington Council cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “As a council we are determined to crack down on anti-social behaviour and ensure the minority who cause issues for others are stopped. We are working across all our services to stop anti-social behaviour blighting people’s lives and welcome this news from the PCC.”

‘Hotspot’ policing will tackle issues such as street drinking, drunken behaviour, vandalism, criminal damage,fly-tipping and other environmental problems that cause distress.

Cllr John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for highways, rural communities, and community safety, said: “We’re committed to working in partnership across all of our communities to tackle anti-social behaviour and want people to feel safe and supported. Nobody should be expected to tolerate anti-social behaviour and we encourage people to report it so that action can be taken.”

ASB Awareness Week 2023 runs from July 3 to 9 under the theme ‘Know Your Rights’. Organised by national charity Resolve, it aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and will involve a packed programme of activities designed to help victims navigate the help and support available.

Commissioner Allen has prioritised ASB in her Police and Crime Plan and has funded an array of projects and resources to increase support for victims and ensure offenders get the justice they deserve. This includes becoming the first PCC in the country to appoint a dedicated ASB Victims’ Champion.

As the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ (APCC) Joint Lead for Addictions and Substance Misuse, she has led calls for the Government to ban nitrous oxide and campaigned hard for ASB to taken more seriously.

Ends

Picture Shows (L/R):  PCSO Debra Waller, Nigel Bryson (Deputy PCC),Andrea Patterson (ASB Chamption), Joy Allen (PCC), Keith Carruthers (Directorof Community Risk Management), Paul Rutherford (Durham County CouncilNeighbourhood Warden Co-ordinator), Jeff Parker (Durham County CouncilNeighbourhood Warden, PCSO Sophie Burnip

 NOTES TO EDITORS

Hotspot areas to be targeted:

Darlington

·       Park East (including Darlington Town Centre)

·       Stephenson

·       North Road

·       Northgate

·       Red Hall Lingfield

·       Cockerton

·       Haughton and Springfield

·       Bank Top and Lascelles

‍

County Durham

·       Easington Colliery South and Eden Hill

·       Bishop Auckland and South Church

·       Annfield Plain South and South Moor

·       Horden

·       Shildon

·       Shotton Colliery

·       Thornley Deaf Hill and Wheatley Hill

·       Spennymoor Green Lane and Dean Bank

·       Byers Green and Spennymoor

·       Stanley North and Kip Hill

·       Chester le Street West and Pelton Fell

Durham City

·       Craghead and South Stanley

·       Dawdon and Seaham

·       Cockton Hill and Etherley Dene