A co-ordinated campaign to confront anti-social behaviour (ASB) and promote community wellbeing will take to Liverpool streets this week.
The initiative forms part of ASB Awareness Week, which will see Liverpool City Council working in close partnership with Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, and local housing associations to highlight the need to combat distressing and nuisance behaviours.
Running from Monday 30 June to Sunday 6 July, the national campaign is led by Resolve, the UK’s leading organisation for community safety and ASB and supported by the Local Government Association, National Fire Chiefs’ Council, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
Now in its fifth year, ASB Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the impact of anti-social behaviour, highlights the support available to those affected, and encourages joint action from organisations and communities alike.
In Liverpool, the campaign will focus on encouraging residents to play an active role in addressing ASB and to feel confident reporting behaviour that causes harm or distress.
Council teams and partner organisations will hold 20 events during the week, engaging directly with residents and businesses across the city and offering advice on who to contact when concerns arise.
Youth-focused charities will also take part, speaking with young people about the consequences of ASB and promoting positive alternatives through a range of local programmes and activities.
Throughout the week, housing associations will host drop-in advice sessions, and an information stand will be available at Speke Morrisons from 2.30 to 3.30pm on Thursday 3 July, where residents can connect with key teams face-to-face.
To round off the week, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service will host a fire safety campaign in time for the summer months, with a focus on how to stay safe when holding BBQs in public.
Beyond raising awareness, the campaign also seeks to spotlight the ongoing, year-round work undertaken by the Council and its partners to prevent and respond to ASB.
Recent research from YouGov, commissioned by Resolve, revealed that nearly one in five people have considered moving home due to ASB, yet more than half of those affected chose not to report it.
Anyone who has witnessed ASB is encouraged to report it to their local neighbourhood police officer, or via the Council website. Alternatively, people who want to remain anonymous can share information with Crimestoppers.
Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene said: “Anti-social behaviour can be incredibly distressing for those impacted and people who witness it.
“We know it’s an issue on our streets and our teams work incredibly hard with our partners every single day to crack down on these behaviours and prevent them from reoccurring.
“This week is a chance for our teams to get out into the community and remind people that you shouldn’t suffer in silence – help and support is always available.”
Liverpool Superintendent Charlotte Irlam said: “This month, we are launching our Safer Streets Summer and the public can expect to see a visible and proactive policing presence across Liverpool, including the City Centre, North and South. Our officers will be carrying out high-visibility foot patrols in areas affected by antisocial behaviour and serious violence and deploying plain clothes officers to target known offenders.
“Safer Streets Summer gives us the opportunity to spotlight the work our officers and partners are doing every single day to keep Liverpool safe. We are committed to driving down crime, tackling antisocial behaviour, and making Liverpool safer for everyone. The public can be confident that we are here, we are listening, and we are taking action.”
Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive of Resolve, said: “ASB is not low-level. It can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on individuals and communities and often escalates to increasingly harmful behaviour.
“We are delighted that Liverpool City Council is backing this vital campaign. It is only through strong local partnerships that we can meet the growing challenge of ASB and ensure people feel safe where they live.”
