ANTISOCIAL Behaviour and how to tackle the root causes in North East Lincolnshire is under the spotlight at a major conference today (Monday March 6).
Humberside Police Superintendent Paul French has joined council, community, and business leaders in what is the largest post-COVID conference of its kind in the borough. More than 100 people from all walks of life have been invited.
Following a morning of thought-provoking presentations from local leading experts, working groups are being tasked with looking at five distinct types of ASB, using areas of the borough where residents and visitors have experienced issues:
- Grimsby Town Centre, ASB associated with central urban areas;
- People’s Park, Incidents in parks and open spaces;
- General areas: Environmental ASB across North East Lincolnshire;
- Cleethorpes: Nuisance vehicles:
- General areas: Criminal anti-social use of motor vehicles, urban and rural areas across North East Lincolnshire.
The end of the day will see work sheets completed from the above priority areas, with ideas that can be used to shape further plans.
North East Lincolnshire Council is hosting the conference at Grimsby Town Hall and it was opened this morning by the borough’s Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities Cllr Ron Shepherd alongside the council’s Assistant Director of Safer Communities Spencer Hunt and Supt French.
Before the opening, Cllr Shepherd said: “It is important to say first and foremost that North East Lincolnshire is not on its own when it comes to incidents of anti-social behaviour. If you go to any town or city across the country, you are likely to see evidence of it – be it a speeding car, loud music or vandalism and abuse.
“It is vital that, as communities, we work together to ensure we tackle these issues. This is already happening here. In January, as an example, we had a joint operation on Grimsby’s East Marsh and spoke to, or took official action against, 36 people – from verbal warnings to penalty charge notices for parking and litter offences. This conference is an opportunity to discuss ways in which we can further that work – creating stronger communities, which support each other.”
Supt. Paul French said: “Tackling issues such as antisocial behaviour is best done when numerous partners and stakeholders get together and discuss how they can affect positive change. I am pleased to be able to support the conference as we look to jointly address concerns from key areas in North East Lincolnshire.”
Fellow speaker, experienced community group leader and (VANEL) Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire Chief Officer Paula Grant added:
“Many of us have seen how antisocial behaviour can ruin lives and devastate local communities. Reporting antisocial behaviour incidents early is important to prevent them from escalating. There is a fine line between antisocial behaviour and neighbour disputes which often begin over relatively minor issues, but if continued, may lead to serious crime.
“We can all think of examples of unacceptable activities that cause nuisance and annoyance or harm and distress to a person in their home, neighbourhood, or community. Thankfully, when people are motivated to report these activities appropriately and help community safety partners find workable solutions to the issues – the results are fewer victims and less damage.
“The negative impact of ASB can be much higher than statistics sometimes reflect. By working together, to make our communities safer through neighbourhood networking with policing teams, community groups, neighbourhood watch and residents we can all help reduce ASB. If you are interested in joining group or contributing to positive outcomes – come and join us!”
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