Council shows support for Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week

PR2446/SH/JB - 15/07/2022

Running from July 18 to 22, ASB Awareness Week (ASB) aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it. This year will focus on the impact of anti-social behaviour on young people.

The Council will be working in partnership with the Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Policing Team and the three Town Councils in the District during the week speaking to young people and other local residents about keeping safe in the district, how they can report in concerns and what we can do to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The team will be available on the following days:

Wednesday 20 July, St John’s Park in Burgess Hill. 3pm- 6pm
Thursday 21 July, Victoria Park, Haywards Heath. 3pm – 5.30pm
Friday 22 July, King George’s Playing Field, East Grinstead. 2-4 pm.

There will be activities, entertainment and refreshments provided for young people at these events.

Recent YouGov research commissioned by safety specialists Resolve found that more than half of people (56%) believe that ‘more needs to be done’ to tackle ASB in their community. However, after they witnessed or experienced ASB, a similar proportion of the public (57%) said that they did not report it to anyone.

The Council is urging members of the public not to suffer in silence if they experience ASB. Incidents can be reported to the anti-social behaviour team at the Mid Sussex District Council, or to Sussex Police if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger.

Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet member for Community said “It is important that residents know where to report ASB as nobody should have to live in fear of ASB. We will not tolerate a small number of people’s behaviour affecting the lives of whole communities. We and our partners are here to help perpetrators to mend their ways so that we can ensure that Mid Sussex remains a great place to live and raise families.”

Neighbourhood Inspector Darren Taylor at Sussex Police said “Anti-social behaviour comes in many different forms. There are so many things which can make people’s lives a misery through having to put up with anti-social behaviour. What is key about ASB awareness week is that Sussex Police and Mid Sussex District Council can highlight what anti-social issues there are, but more importantly how the public can address and challenge such behaviour within their communities.”

Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive of Resolve added: “ASB is not low-level crime. It can have a long-lasting impact on the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime. It is important that the challenge of ASB continues to be given the priority it needs so that people everywhere feel safe in their homes and communities.  

“We are delighted that Mid Sussex District Council is supporting this hugely important campaign. It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.”

Details on how to report ASB and our ASB policy are available on our website at www.midsussex.gov.uk/environment/anti-social-behaviour-and-crime

For more information about ASB Awareness Week – visit www.resolveuk.org.uk/asbawarenessweek  

ENDS