NPCC shows support for ASB Awareness Week 2023

Running from July 3 to 9, 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.

Recent YouGov research commissioned by Resolve found that almost 1 in 5 people have had to consider moving home because of the impact ASB was having on them; 1 in 10 have actually moved. Despite this, over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witness of ASB did not report the ASB.

NPCC 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 local Council, or to the Police if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet, NPCC Lead for Anti-Social Behaviour, said:

“People have a right to live their lives free from intimidation and harassment in their own communities. We know anti-social behaviour has the power to wreck people’s lives and therefore it is important to have a multi-agency approach to tackling anti-social behaviour.

“Throughout the week, police forces across the country will be actively engaging with their communities and local partnerships in raising awareness on various aspects to do with ASB. As part of the week there will be a focus on victims, ASB is not a low-level offence and can have a great impact on someone’s quality of life. People need to know what their rights are and we will be highlighting those to victims.

“There will also be a focus on young people, often they are silent victims of ASB and we will be working with organisations such as the Premier league to highlight key outreach work which is taking place to engage with young people.

“The public should continue reporting incidents to us, policing is one part of the solution but where it is not a policing matter, we will work with local authorities and other agencies to effectively combat ASB and empower victims and communities.

“Police will prosecute where there is evidence of a criminal offence and forces will use all local intelligence provided to appropriately prioritise their neighbourhood policing response.”

Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive of Resolve added:

“ASB is not low-level. It can have a devastating and 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 NPCC is supporting this hugely important campaign. It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.”

Learn more about ASB Awareness Week.