Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, joined Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Neighbourhood Watch at Number 10 on Monday 16th January for a roundtable meeting to discuss anti-social behaviour.
Will Tanner, Mr Sunak’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert, and Victims’ Commissioner CEO Katie Kempen, were also present among others from charities, police forces and the National Police Chiefs Council.
The panel discussed existing solutions, including visible policing and fixed penalty notices, as well as longer-term programmes such as the re-invigoration of Britain’s high streets.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Support Service and the Cuckooing Service, commissioned by the Office of the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, provides support for victims of Anti-social Behaviour in Surrey.
Lisa said,
"It is quite right that we push anti-social behaviour away from our public spaces, although my concern is that by dispersing it, we send it to residents’ front doors, giving them no safe refuge.
I believe that in order to end anti-social behaviour, we have to tackle the underlying issues, such as trouble at home or a lack of investment in mental health treatment. This can and should be done by local authorities, schools and social workers, among others, rather than the police.
I do not underestimate the impact this particular type of offending can have. While anti-social behaviour may appear to be a minor crime at first glance, the reality is very different, and it can have a very high impact on victims. It makes the streets feel less safe for everyone, particularly women and girls.
We have to take this seriously and deal with the root causes. Because every victim is different, it’s important to look at the harm caused by such offences, rather than the offence itself or the number committed.
In Surrey, we work closely with partners including local authorities to reduce the number of times victims are pushed between different organisations.The Community Harm Partnership is also running a series of webinars to increase awareness of anti-social behaviour and improve its response.
Forces around the country can and must do more, and I’d like to see joined-up thinking between different agencies to get to the bottom of this offence."
You can read more about the round table meeting here.
