17.8% of UK adults say that anti-social behaviour (ASB) has caused them to consider moving home, whilst a staggering 1 in 10 adults have actually moved, according to new YouGov research commissioned by Resolve.

Resolve, the UK’s leading community safety organisation, has today published the latest data on anti-social behaviour in the UK. The release coincides with the start of ASB Awareness Week (3-9 July), a nationwide week of action involving the police, fire and rescue services, all local authorities, hundreds of housing providers, health and youth services, politicians and third-sector agencies.

The data collected by YouGov shows that anti-social behaviour is widespread, underreported and has a big impact on victims and communities. 1 in 4 UK adults (26.3%) say that ASB has made them feel unsafe in their local area and 58.3% of people say that more needs to be done to tackle the issue. Despite this, half (49%) of those who have been a witness or victim of anti-social behaviour in the last 3 years did not make a report to the police or other agency.

Victims are generally not satisfied with the response from agencies when they do report anti-social behaviour, and victims suffering from ongoing ASB do not know what to do when they have made a report but are unsatisfied with the response or lack thereof.

Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Exec of Resolve, said,

“The message remains clear: We must do better when it comes to supporting victims of anti-social behaviour. More and better communication is a good place to start. 

“Almost one-fifth of victims don’t know how to report anti-social behaviour. Many victims also don’t know what support is available or what to expect after making a report. By improving our communication around these points, reporting should increase, victims will get better support and be more satisfied with the handling of their case”. 

In response to the YouGov survey, more than 1 in 3 (47%) victims and witnesses said they would be more likely to report future ASB if they received clear communication about to whom and/or how to make a report, but just 5% of people had noticed communication around this topic in the last 12 months. 

Increasing reporting is just the start according to Resolve, who say that there also needs to be better legislation to protect victims of ASB. The Victims and Prisoners Bill working through parliament contains a Victims’ Code – a set of protections and rights such as the right to be referred to victim support services, the right to be paid expenses and have your property returned, and the right to be given information about the outcome of the case. Victims of anti-social behaviour are excluded from the Bill and are not protected in the same way as victims of other crime.

Commenting on the launch of ASB Awareness Week, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

“It is one of my top priorities as Home Secretary to drive down anti-social behaviour which has a real negative impact on people’s wellbeing and sense of safety in their own neighbourhoods. 

“I want to see common sense policing that delivers swift justice for victims and real consequences for perpetrators. I am pleased to see the commitment from police forces to ensure our Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan is implemented in every community across the country, making streets safer for all.”

• To access the full report, visit: www.resolveuk.org.uk/images/YouGov2023 
• For more information on ASB Awareness Week, see: www.resolveuk.org.uk/ASBAW   

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2060 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 10th - 11th May 2023.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).