Your Neighbourhood Policing Team are aware of a spike in Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) in your area.

Over the weekend, we received reports of ASB including kicking doors, criminal damage and posting items through letterboxes. Please be assured that we are collecting the available evidence and will speak to those involved. PCSO 7226 Giddins and I attended the Parish Council meeting on Monday, and PCSO 7360 Rigby is on duty this evening (Wednesday 3rd July) and will be conducting CCTV enquiries.

How do you report new incidents?

There is a rising trend of victims and witnesses posting about incidents on social media, or informing community representatives, but not reporting to the police. We have good links with Parish Councils and schools, but cannot monitor social media, and these can cause a delay in reporting to the police, and slows our response. We would also like to discourage any group “vigilante” action, as we know is often discussed on social media, as this can put those involved at risk. 

It is vital that you report incidents to us, so that we can respond in a timely manner.

Non-emergency incidents should be reported via 101, or the Lancashire Police Do It Online website. The online reporting function allows you to attach images and videos (for example, CCTV stills or footage) and many people find it more convenient.

Emergency incidents should always be reported via 999, for example a crime in progress or risk to life.

What happens to the young people involved?

We work closely with the local schools, charity organisations, sports clubs, the Safer Neighbourhood Team, council and Children and Youth Justice Service (CYJS) to deter young people from further offending, no matter how low level. Our response is always proportionate and each offender is treated as an individual. Our aim is to be firm but fair.

There are a range of out of court options like referring the young person to diversionary activities, e.g. AFC Fylde Champions project, or Restorative Justice where the young person meets with the victim in a formal setting to have a conversation about the impact of their actions on the victim.

For persistent offenders, a referral to CYJS is the next step, then for continued or very serious offending, the young person would be charged with the offence and sent to court.

We also visit schools to talk about ASB and the impact on the community.

What can I do to keep my property safe?

There are a wide range of things you can put in place to deter your property from being damaged or broken in to. You can easily access advice on the police.uk website: Protecting your home from crime 

If you are a victim of ASB, we would advise you not to directly challenge those responsible. Report it to the police and try to provide us with descriptions of those involved.

What can the community do to prevent ASB?

Quite often, the feedback from young people is that there is “not a lot to do” in the locality. This is something we are acutely aware of, and working with Lancashire County Council, Fylde Borough Council and some Parish/ Town councils to try to change.

Kirkham Town Council has funded Community Boxing at a local gym. The sessions revolve around teaching the young people respect, discipline and sporting skill, and young people are referred in by local schools, social workers and police staff. This has lowered the incidents of ASB in Kirkham and Wesham, and has been so successful Blackpool are going to implement a similar scheme. 

If anyone in the community has any suggestions for activities young people would enjoy, or if you have a particular skill or time to volunteer, please let me know.

PC 8524 Sarah Roberts