Detective Inspector James Ross and Sergeant Daniel Bartlett took part in an event at the Houses of Parliament, attended by the Home Secretary Suella Braverman to officially launch Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.

The event was also an opportunity to raise awareness of the ASB Case Review which gives victims of persistent anti-social behaviour the right to request a multi-agency review.

Previously known as the community trigger, it will bring police and partner agencies together to look jointly at a solution to solve the anti-social behaviour.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is an important part of the force’s Safer Summer initiative and just some of the issues officers deal with include driving and riding vehicles in an anti-social way, drugs and street drinking.

In 2021, Kent Police received 39,606 reports of anti-social behaviour, 28,130 reports in 2022 and so far in 2023 11,053 reports have been received.

Superintendent Pete Steenhuis said: ‘We do not underestimate the impact that anti-social behaviour can have on the lives of our residents, it can make an area frightening and unpleasant to live, work or relax in and we work closely with our partner agencies to tackle the issue head on.

‘It is not a low-level crime, it can have a lasting impact on communities and we are committed to tackling it.

‘But it is often underreported by residents. Anyone affected is encouraged to make a formal report of every incident so officers can get an accurate grasp on the issue to take proportionate action.

‘Following the Home Office police uplift programme, the force now has the highest number of officers in its history. Extra police officers will be going onto the streets of Kent and we have developed a new neighbourhood policing model to ensure our officers and PCSOs are used in the most operationally effective and efficient way to serve the public – keeping people safe and targeting those who pose the greatest risk to our communities.’

My Community Voice is a messaging service from Kent Police that helps residents, businesses and community groups keep in touch with their local policing teams. As part of Safer Summer the force is encouraging people to sign up so they can respond to alerts from their local officer, share alerts with friends and relatives such as crime prevention advice, and witness appeals and importantly provide details to local officers on the issues impacting their local community. 

Visit this link to sign up to My Community Voice and make your voice count. My Community Voice | Kent Police

More information about the case review can be found here. Antisocial behaviour | Kent Police