As new findings from anti-social solutions specialist Resolve show the scale of ASB in the UK today, CEO Rebecca Bryant OBE explains what can be done to tackle the issue
With the results in from our latest research into community safety and anti-social behaviour, the message is clear: We must do better when it comes to supporting victims of anti-social behaviour (ASB).
ASB is not low-level; it devastates the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime. YouGov research commissioned by Resolve shows that almost one in seven people have had to consider moving home because of the impact anti-social behaviour was having on them.
We know that there were 1.7m incidents of anti-social behaviour reported to the police last year, but this figure does not include the vast number of ASB incidents reported to Local Authorities and Housing Providers (which weren’t also reported to the Police).
Furthermore, our research shows that over half of victims or witnesses do not report ASB at all. A staggering 51% of ASB victims and witnesses surveyed did not make a report because they ‘didn’t think anything would be done’. 15% said they did not know how to report ASB or where they would turn to do so.
Taking this all into consideration, it wouldn’t be careless to estimate that there were likely over five million incidents of ASB in the UK last year.
We also found that victims do not know what to do if they are unsatisfied with the handling of their case. The Community Trigger was introduced in the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act for victims who have reported persistent ASB but are unhappy with the response or lack thereof.
“It wouldn’t be careless to estimate that there were likely over five million incidents of ASB in the UK last year”
As noted in the 2021/2022 Victim’s Commissioner’s Annual Report, the Community Trigger “empowers a victim to bring agencies together to commit to purposeful action to bring an end to repeat ASB – it can represent the best hope for victims to escape their nightmare. But it remains poorly promoted and underutilised”.
This is highlighted by further research commissioned by Resolve, which shows that eight years after its introduction, just 6% of people have heard of the Community Trigger, and only 2% of people fully understand how it works.
What is the answer?
As we see it, the solution to this issue comes in four parts.
1) Understanding the problem
Collecting data on how many incidents there actually are and the use of the tools and powers available to authorities on a national basis would be a good start.
2) ASB requires a partnership response, with community key
We know that more resilient communities are safer, have less crime and ASB, thrive and are invested in – true levelling up. Let’s build on the one positive of the COVID pandemic – communities coming together – and support them to become more resilient, sharing messages on how to make them safer.
Our research showed that just 5% of people had noticed information about what to do if you are a victim or witness of ASB. Better communications don’t cost much but do help communities to respond to anti-social behaviour, in addition to improving feelings of safety within communities and showing individuals that we are listening and we are taking action collectively to improve community safety.
3) Early intervention and prevention work
We need more mediation, restorative justice, mentoring, and a focus on community leadership and ownership.
We know that the drivers of ASB are often complex, with adverse childhood experiences, mental health, drug and alcohol misuse needing much more attention. Many of today’s perpetrators were previously victims themselves, and so we ought to adopt a trauma-informed approach and seek to offer help and support to individuals who need it before – or even after – they commit anti-social behaviour.
A focus on longer term challenge and change through civil action and positive requirements and better funding provisions for those who need it most would also make a big difference.
4) Keeping victims at the heart
We must not lose sight of the harm ASB causes to victims and communities up and down the country. In addition to improving knowledge of what to do if you are a victim of ASB, there is also some work to be done in helping those who respond to ASB reports (e.g. the police, local authorities, housing associations) to better understand the experiences and suffering of victims of anti-social behaviour.
Being the victim of persistent ASB can really take over one’s life, and there are countless case studies highlighting this fact – some tragically ending in suicide or murder.
Going forward
To keep victims at the heart of our approach, ASB should absolutely be included in the Victims Bill. As noted by Dame Vera Baird DBE KC (former Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales), despite the extreme harm ASB can cause, “victims of ASB are often treated as second class victims, unable to access the support and resolution that victims of crime can…The Victims’ Bill must acknowledge the pernicious harm that ASB creates and deliver repeat victims with the same rights that a victim of crime can expect.”
This is why victims will be at the heart of our third-ever, national ASB Awareness Week, which is taking place between 3-9 July 2023.
We’ll be releasing our media pack and Take Action webpages in the coming months and hope you will engage with these resources and join us in our awareness raising.
Image: Rebecca Bryant OBE, CEO, Resolve. Credit: Resolve
Read next: Calls for overhaul of shared ownership to support thousands of older people
Are you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
