24/5/10 Antisocial Behaviour

POLICE AND PARTNERS WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A SUPPORT SERVICE TO VICTIMS OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Northamptonshire Police, Victim Support and Northamptonshire County Council are working together to provide free and confidential support to people experiencing anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Northampton, South Northants and Daventry.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Support Service has been set-up following consultation with people suffering from ASB to ensure that it is designed specifically with their needs and expectations at its heart.

The service is based on an understanding that anti-social behaviour can detrimentally affect the quality of life for many people. Referrals to the support service are made through officers when they come into contact with individuals who they feel are vulnerable or who would benefit from support.

The main aims of the support service are to:

• Offer emotional support and practical help as needed
• Provide information about the police service and criminal justice system working processes around ASB
• Work with other agencies who can help to resolve the underlying ASB
• Offer mediation, if this is appropriate
• Offer crime prevention advice
• Provide contact information about other support agencies and make referrals where needed

The ASB Senior Support Worker, Joanne Lonsdale, works to ensure that those who are suffering from anti-social behaviour feel supported and that their situation is taken seriously by agencies.

Joanne works directly with victims of ASB and shares their experiences with the Police, Local Authority and other organisations to improve understanding of victims' needs and experiences of services.

A recipient of the ASB Support Service said: "I really don't know how I could have got through it all without the outstanding support delivered, especially the much required face-to-face appointments and all the phone communications too".

An initial evaluation of the service showed that the majority of sufferers of ASB feel better able to cope following one-to-one support from the project, 100% strongly agree that the ASB Senior Support Worker took their case seriously, and 93% feel 'very supported' by the service.

Incidents of anti-social behaviour have reduced consecutively over the previous three years across Northampton, South Northants and Daventry, and Safer Community Teams continue to work to resolve the behaviour causing concerns in the local community.

Thank you