“We all have the right to feel secure in our communities”, police commissioner backs campaign to reduce ASB

The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has given his backing to a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of antisocial behaviour (ASB) and how it can be reported.

The campaign, by Resolve, focusing on addressing issues such as vandalism, street drinking, and nuisance neighbours, forms part of the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan.

Since being elected the Andy Dunbobbin, the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, has introduced several new and innovate measures to combat ASB and foster a safer North Wales for everyone.

Since the pandemic, there has been a notable rise in ASB among young people in schools and in the wider community, alongside a rise in young people noting that they are suffering from low mental health.

To help combat this an innovative new project has launched in Wrexham in partnership with local schools and organisations.

Schools taking part in the programme include Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Ysgol Clywedog and Ysgol Rhosnesni.

The project, which is backed by Wrexham Council and North Wales Police, focuses on addressing the root causes of youth antisocial behaviour in the area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Each identified school has been allocated two days per week of engagement where the youth team at Groundwork North Wales will provide support, opportunities and in-depth discussion around the topic of ASB in a school setting, as well as identifying current issues and problems highlighted in their communities.

Groups also have the opportunity to learn new skills and qualifications through participating in the activities – which has so far included creating a graffiti mural and planting flowers and veg.

Wrexham has also received a share of £1.5m of funding from the Home Office Safer Streets project, which has included measures to increase safety for those using the night time economy.

Projects across north Wales have also received a boost from Your Community, Your Choice, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2023.

Over the past ten years, a total of over £500,000 has been a warded to more than 150 projects working to reduce crime in their areas and to support the priorities in the Police and Crime Plan.

Funding for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest from the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Commissioner’s recent appointment as Chair of the national Policing in Wales forum, which brings together the other Police and Crime Commissioners, Chief Officers and leaders of the three other Welsh forces together with the Welsh Government will also help to co-ordinate the response to, and share intelligence, on combatting ASB across the country.

North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “I am pleased to show my support for ASB Awareness Week 2023 and to share the message with the people of North Wales that I have their interests at heart.

“We all have the right to feel secure in our communities.

“I believe passionately both in dealing with the root causes of ASB, such as substance misuse and the lack of diversionary activities for young people, but also in offering support and delivering justice to those experiencing ASB.

“Delivering safer neighbourhoods, and supporting victims and communities are cornerstones of my Police and Crime Plan and it is my job to hold North Wales Police to account to ensure they are meeting these aims.

“I’d urge anyone who has a crime to report or any suspicions to report it to the police or CrimeStoppers, so we can work together to combat ASB wherever it happens.”

You can find advice on what ASB is and how you can report it here. Click here to read the Police & Crime Commissioner’s policing priorities for North Wales.