Avon And Somerset Police Anti Social Behaviour Survey

13 January 2014, 16:07 | Updated: 13 January 2014, 16:29

Avon and Somerset Police are launching a survey to ask people about their experiences and views on anti-social behaviour (ASB).

They will also be holding a webchat on Wednesday evening (15 Jan), hosted by Chief Supt Nikki Watson, who is the force lead on ASB.

The aim of the short online survey and the webchat are to provide additional opportunities for people who live and work in the Avon and Somerset force area to speak to the police about ASB. Anti-social behaviour is any activity which causes harassment, alarm or distress to others, such as criminal damage, rowdy drunken behaviour or inconsiderate use of vehicles. Chief Supt Watson said:

“The purpose of the webchat is to provide people with an opportunity to ‘drop in’ to the session if they have questions or comments about ASB but might not have the time to attend a police meeting or beat surgery.

We especially want to hear from people who are unsure about reporting incidents of ASB, or how to report, or who are unsure whether the police, the council or other agency is the right one for them to speak to about the problem.

Through the survey, which is anonymous, we want to gather more information about the types of ASB people may have experienced in their area, and the impact this has had on them, especially people who may not have reported these incidents to their local neighbourhood police team.

In short, we want to hear your views on ASB. The best approach to ASB involves a range of agencies all working together and the local community also plays a vital role in this.”

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said:

“Anti-social behaviour is the most common reason residents contact me and I am fully aware it is something that affects and hurts daily lives and this is unacceptable.

Everyone has the right to live in a community free from anti-social behaviour and in a community where they are safe and feel safe. Please share your views and experiences of anti-social behaviour so together we can make our communities even safer.”

The webchat, and the launch of the survey, are taking place in the same week as the launch of the pilot of the national Community Trigger scheme, which is being piloted in Mendip. The community trigger – which can be activated by an individual, community group, or business – brings together all agencies with a responsibility to tackle ASB problems to review an ongoing case, if it meets the trigger criteria, to ensure everything is being done to resolve the issue.

The survey is available at www.consultation.avonandsomerset.police.uk/police/anti-social-behaviour

The webchat will be held from 7pm until 8.30pm on 15 January. To register for a reminder and sign in to the webchat visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/webchat