The police’s approach to dealing with anti-social behaviour (ASB) is improving, a survey has revealed.

According to a HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) report, ‘A Step in the Right Direction’, 61% of victims of (ASB) crimes were very satisfied with the action taken. This is up from 55% in 2010.

Across England and Wales, 74% of those surveyed felt their local police force was doing a good job, up from 69% in 2010. In 2011/12, 3.2 million incidents of ASB were reported in England and Wales, but the HMIC recognises that many incidents go unreported.

The report does warn against complacency, with one in three victims reporting they still do not get the service they feel they should.  

The Association of Police Authorities chair Mark Burns-Williamson said more needed to be done on the issue.

“HMIC’s thorough report reveals that many police forces are to be congratulated for making significant progress in tackling the scourge of ASB, not least since police authorities have made this a priority in response to public concerns,” he said. “But much remains to be done; one in three victims of the 3.2 million incidents in England and Wales last year do not feel that the police gave them the service that they needed.

“This area will remain a priority for police authorities, and no doubt also elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). Until the satisfaction levels of victims’ are much higher, police authorities and elected PCCs will wish to build on existing best policing practice, and to deepen their partnerships with a range of local agencies so that ASB is both prevented and prosecuted with increasing rigour in the future.”

Topics