In response to new YouGov research into anti-social behaviour, the UK’s leading community safety organisation claims we must do better when it comes to supporting victims of anti-social behaviour.
Headline figures from the research show that anti-social behaviour (ASB) has made more than 1 in 4 people (28%) feel unsafe where they live, whilst 14% of people say ASB has impacted on their mental health, and 15% say that ASB has made them not want to go to their local shop.
The official definition of anti-social behaviour is, ‘behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person'. This covers a wide-range of behaviours, such as verbal abuse, intimidation, threatening behaviour, vandalism, fly-tipping, uncontrolled animals, nuisance involving vehicles, excessive noise, and other potentially harmful behaviours.
According to the most recent data, collected by YouGov and commissioned by Resolve, more than 1 in 10 people (11%) say they experience anti-social behaviour at least once per week.
Chief Executive of Resolve, Rebecca Bryant OBE, said:
“Left unresolved, anti-social behaviour devastates the lives of victims, wreaks havoc on communities and can often be a precursor to more serious crime.
“Despite the fact that there were an estimated five million incidents of ASB nationwide last year, and despite our understanding of the pernicious harm that ASB can cause, many victims still find themselves completely unable to access victim support.
“It is therefore sadly no surprise that 60% of people think more needs to be done to tackle ASB, and that ASB has forced more than 1 in 7 (16%) of us to consider moving home.”
The latest report from Resolve was published on Monday 18th November to coincide with the launch of ASB Awareness Week 2024.
Taking place from 18th – 24th November, ASB Awareness Week is a full week of action supported by national stakeholders, including HM Government, all police and fire forces, the Local Government Association, the Welsh Local Government Association, Historic England, the Premier League ‘Kicks’ Foundation, the College of Policing, Neighbourhood Watch, ASB Help, the APCC, the NPCC and hundreds of housing providers, third-sector agencies and community groups from across the UK.
The Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire, Dame Diana Johnson said:
“Anti-social behaviour is not ‘low-level’ crime or just a nuisance. It has real life consequences, corroding people’s freedom, damaging their mental health, and ultimately undermining their sense of home.
“This government will not accept this. As part of our Safer Streets Mission we will deliver thousands of extra neighbourhood police and community support officers and bring in tougher measures to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour.
“Too often when these incidents are reported there is the feeling that no one comes, and nothing is done. That is why initiatives like ASB Awareness Week really matter – we want victims to know that they can report anti-social behaviour, that it will be acted upon and that they are not alone.”
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2097 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 10th - 11th September 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
Notes
For more information contact
- Full YouGov Report: https://www.resolveuk.org.uk/images/YouGov-24.pdf
- About ASB Awareness Week: resolveuk.org.uk/asb-awareness-week
ASB Awareness Week is taking place between 18th– 24th November 2024.
The week of action will bring together people and organisations from across the country to take a stand and work together to make communities safer.
Organised by Resolve, ASB Awareness Week is being backed by the Home Office, MGCLG, Local Government Association, National Police Chiefs’ Council, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, APCC, Historic England, Neighbourhood Watch, Premier League Kicks Foundation and many other stakeholders.
- About Resolve: resolveuk.org.uk
Resolve is a centre of excellence solely focused upon community safety and anti-social behaviour (ASB). We strongly advocate that community safety issues and ASB can be tackled effectively, and everyone has a right to feel safe. ASB should be treated as a priority, it is not low level and is a precursor to serious crime.
It is our mission to professionalise the sector by helping organisations to effectively deal with community safety and ASB issues through training, support, guidance and sharing best practice.
Tackling ASB and community safety is core business for all of our members, including social housing providers who collectively manage more than 4 million homes throughout the UK. Other members include Local Authorities (representing over 14 million constituents), housing law solicitors, mediation services and the Police.
