Devon & Cornwall Police have joined a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the two counties.

Running from July 3 to 9, ASB Awareness Week 2023 is organised by RESOLVE, an ASB and community safety organisation. It encourages communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.

National statistics show that ASB accounted for 28 percent of total police-recorded crime in the year ending September 2021, with around 1.7 million incidents recorded.

Tackling ASB is a priority for Devon & Cornwall Police. The recent Operation Loki in Safer Streets areas (including Falmouth) focused on anti-social behaviour and other activities that make communities feel unsafe. This included high-visibility patrols, traffic operations, and operations targeting drug supply, resulting in over 150 arrests.

During ASB Awareness Week, neighbourhood policing teams are encouraged to share the work they are doing in their communities on social media. Members of the public can also find details of upcoming events and local priorities on the Devon & Cornwall Police website.

Recent YouGov research commissioned by RESOLVE found that over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witnesses of ASB did not report it.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: "We welcome ASB Awareness Week and the spotlight it shines on this crucial area. ASB is not a low-level crime; it has the power to wreck lives. Reporting shows us where ASB is happening in your community. Every report we receive is part of a bigger picture and helps us develop a multi-agency approach to protect the communities we serve."

ASB is often a complex issue that may require other agencies to take the lead. Devon & Cornwall Police work with partners to address ASB issues and support use of the ASB Case Review.

ACC Mayhew continued: "We know it can be frustrating for victims to be passed between organisations. The ASB Case Review is designed to put a stop to that and bring all those agencies together to address the issues. As police, we will use all the policing tactics and powers that are available to us to challenge ASB across Devon and Cornwall."

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly, said: "Antisocial behaviour can have devastating effects on its victims, who can feel persecuted in their own homes to the point where their mental health suffers severely. It's a serious issue and something I want partners across our force area focussed on tackling.

"Fortunately there is much that can be done, and in Antisocial Behaviour Awareness Week my team will be out and about with local authority partners to give advice on the various steps that councils, police and victim services can take to help those affected.

"This year I have commissioned a new service to offer advice, help and support to victims of antisocial behaviour, this can be accessed via the police if you have reported it to the force, or Victim Support if you have not reported an incident to police."

You can follow your local team here: Facebook and here: Falmouth and Helston Police

For local support for victims visit: https://victimcare-dc.org/

Request an ASB Case Review on the Devon & Cornwall Police website: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/asbcr-ct

For more information about ASB Awareness Week visit www.resolveuk.org.uk.