Extra Help Available for Victims of Antisocial Behaviour

Victims of persistent antisocial behaviour are being reminded that extra help is available to resolve the issue.

At the start of ASB Awareness Week 2022 the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire  outlined the additional steps those affected can take.

In his recent Community Safety and Criminal Justice plan David Lloyd committed to helping the public understand their rights and entitlements under the Community Trigger process. Also known as an ASB Case Review, it can be used by those who are not satisfied with the response from their local agencies.

The trigger entitles the victim to a multi-agency review between groups such as the local authority, the police, Clinical Commissioning Group and social housing providers. In the past five years there have been 80 Case Reviews in Hertfordshire, with 62 resulting in additional recommendations being made to resolve the problems.

Now Mr Lloyd has decided to improve the service for those affected by taking a strategic leadership role and increasing the public awareness of the Community Trigger.

This week will see the first meeting of key stakeholders who are getting together to review policies and procedures. It will be chaired by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Head of Victim Services in partnership with County Community Safety Units.

Campaigns are also going to be run to make sure those entitled to the Community Trigger are aware that the option is open to them. This would include making sure victims are told about the service through the media and that all partners ensure they make the option available.

Mr Lloyd said: ‘Antisocial behaviour is not just annoying behaviour, it can go much further than that, involving criminal acts such as threats of violence and drug dealing. It is often associated with excessive noise and littering, which can escalate and effect whole streets.

‘That is why it needs a multi-agency approach to solve it. I want people to know that there are systems in place to help those whose lives are blighted by such selfish behaviour – you are not alone and assistance is available.’

To date Watford Borough Council have been one of the most proactive in implementing the process for their residents To mark ASB Awareness Week the Commissioner has heard from two Watford victims who have benefited from the Community Trigger.

To mark ASB Awareness Week the Commissioner has also heard from two victims in Watford who have benefited from the Community Trigger. Watford Borough Council have been one of the most proactive in implementing the process for their residents.

The first, a care worker, unsuccessfully tried to move home after a new next door neighbour threw parties every night with drunk people fighting and taking drugs while playing loud music. She had her life threatened when she complained and she installed a video camera to gather evidence.

Under the Case Review the council’s Community Safety Manager worked with the housing authority and police to take the case to court several times before they were successful in evicting the problem tenants.

The second, a man was put on antidepressants when a female resident in a neighbouring flat allowed her flat to be used as a drugs den with lots of visitors throughout the night and visits from the police.

Once he found out about the Community Trigger and asked for it to be enacted an injunction was secured to prevent anyone except the tenant entering the property. This was later extended to an antisocial behaviour closure order with collaborated work from the council, social services and the police.