ASB Awareness Week

This year, ASB Awareness Week (stands for Antisocial Behaviour) falls between 18th and 24th July. ASB is now the No.1 topic of referral to our service, having taken over from noise nuisance to top the ‘hit parade’ several years ago. ASB can come in a wide variety of guises and can be very impactive on the lives of victims.

This is what the organiser of the event say on their website (https://tinyurl.com/mr434nav)

“Following a hugely successful first year, the return of ASB Awareness Week has been confirmed for 18-24 July 2022! This will be an action-packed week, with a focus on the impact of anti-social behaviour on young people, and the importance engaging with the wider public about their vital role in tackling ASB. The week is supported by key stakeholders including the Home Office, Local Government Association (LGA), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC).

People deserve to feel safe where they live – addressing ASB is a national priority.

Despite the national lockdowns imposed during the pandemic, ASB continued to blight communities.

Polling by YouGov for Resolve found that more than one third (35%) of the UK public had experienced an increase in ASB in their local area, with just 1% believing that the problem had ‘decreased a lot’. Following the end of Covid restrictions, it is likely that the situation will continue to deteriorate.

ASB is not a low-level crime, it devastates communities and has a profound impact on victims. But just as everyone can be impacted by ASB – everyone can also play a role in tackling it too. It’s time to take our message out to young people and the wider public.”

WSMS can help to tackle ASB but it helps if we are used an early intervention tool, before things escalate. Communication can be the key. We are just a tool in a much larger ‘toolbox’ that people can call upon to tackle ASB issues. We shouldn’t underestimate the power of mediation in helping to resolve conflict. ASB often occurs as ‘small acorns’ are allowed to grow and matters escalate. We are there to break that circle of conflict.

Here is a list of public facing events that Sussex Police have organised:

Mon 18th ‘Launching The Week’

  • Adur/Worthing – Street Briefing Southwick 10am – midday

Tues 19th ‘Empowering Communities’

  • Adur/Worthing – Street Briefing Durrington 10am – midday
  • Crawley – Gossops Green Parade, 15:00

Weds 20th ‘Best Practice & Social Media Takeover’

  • Mid Sussex – Burgess Hill Youth Engagement Event, 15:00-18:00 St Johns Park

Thurs 21st ‘Partnership & Local Delivery’

  • Adur/Worthing – Street Briefing Broadwater 10am – midday
  • Mid Sussex – Haywards Heath Youth Engagement Event & “Skatefest” 14:00-17:00 Victoria Park

Fri 2nd ‘Impact of ASB on young people’

  • Mid Sussex – East Grinstead Youth Engagement Event 13:00-16:00 Kings Field

Sun 24th

  • Crawley – Queens Square Pop-up 13:30 – 15:30hrs

Feel free to call us for advice on the subject on 0300 200 0025.