Less Anti Social Behaviour in Hampshire

The number of reported anti-social behaviour incidents has reduced by 14 per cent in the first month of the anti-social behaviour campaign across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight compared to the same period last year.

During the month since the campaign began on Friday, May 28, 2010 the number of criminal damage crimes has also reduced by 20 per cent compared to the same period last year.

During June 2009 there were a total of 11,213 incidents of anti-social behaviour. In June 2010 this has reduced to 9,643 incidents across the force, a reduction of 1,570.

Anti-social behaviour includes of a number of different offences such as begging, hoax calls to emergency services, rowdy and inconsiderate and vehicle related nuisance.

The campaign lead Chief Inspector Jerry Patterson said: "Tackling anti-social behaviour is the priority for Hampshire Constabulary over the summer as this is historically when we see a rise in offences. Although this is an initial three month campaign, a focus on tackling ASB will continue after the end of August and we are developing processes to ensure that we can continue to effectively tackle ASB across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. During last year's summer anti-social behaviour campaign we saw a drop in ASB incidents and I am glad we are continuing to bring the numbers down."

Hampshire Constabulary is working closely with all partner agencies across the two counties to continue to reduce the number of anti-social behaviour incidents. As part of this initiative extra police officers and staff have been out on patrol targeting particular hotspot areas which are affected by anti-social behaviour.

All sections of the force are working as one team during this three month initiative including police officers and staff who aren't usually involved in visible frontline policing.

As part of this campaign, residents are being asked to send in videos, photos, letters etc highlighting the areas in their community that they would to see the police dealing with. Residents should click here or call 101 to contact their local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

The campaign will run until the end of August.

Residents should report any incidents of anti-social behaviour by calling 101.