Anti Social Behaviour Week 2023

Ilfracombe Town Council and North Devon Council have joined a national campaign to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB) and keep people in the district safe.

Running this week (Monday 3 July to Sunday 9 July), ASB Awareness Week 2023 aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.

Organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, the week features a series of events all across the UK involving councils, police forces, housing associations, charities, community groups and sports clubs.

Both councils are urging members of the public who experience ASB not to suffer in silence. ASB such as flytipping, littering, offensive graffiti, abandoned vehicles, street drinking, noise nuisance and abandoned vehicles can be reported to North Devon Council, which has a number of enforcement powers under the Anti Social Behaviour Police and Crime Act 2014 to tackle ASB in the district. Tenants of social housing should report ASB around their homes to their landlords. Non-emergency ASB can be reported to Devon and Cornwall Police by calling 101 or emailing 101@dc.police.uk, or by calling 999 if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger.

North Devon Council’s Service Lead for Housing, Vulnerable Persons and Community Safety, Natasha Rowland  said: “We are acutely aware that ASB can affect residents and the community at large and can take many forms, from low level, persistent noise nuisance to serious public disturbance. It can include a wide spectrum of issues such as street drinking, aggressive begging, littering and urinating and defecating in public.”

Cllr Dan Turton – Mayor of Ilfracombe said “It was great to take part in some community engagement last week alongside our local Police team. We spoke to the public about any issues they had in our town. ITC supports ASB week and we continue to work with all our partners to understand any problems and discuss solutions wherever we can.”

(L-R –  ITC Town Cllr Kerry Turton, representatives from D&C Police, Peter Joyce ITC Volunteer)

Non-urgent antisocial behaviour can be reported to the police using email via 101@dc.police.uk, through webchat, or through the 101 telephone service if necessary. Live wait time for 101 calls can be viewed by visiting www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact. In an emergency always call the police on 999.

More information on an antisocial behaviour PSPO can be found on the NDC website at www.northdevon.gov.uk/community-safety-and-emergencies/anti-social-behaviour.

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