Police’s response to antisocial behaviour improves

21 Jun 12
Police forces in England and Wales have improved their handling of antisocial behaviour in the past two years, but there are still significant variations in victim satisfaction levels, the Inspectorate of Constabulary has revealed.

By Richard Johnstone | 21 June 2012

Police forces in England and Wales have improved their handling of antisocial behaviour in the past two years, but there are still significant variations in victim satisfaction levels, the Inspectorate of Constabulary has revealed.

In 2010, the regulator called for police to change the way they dealt with antisocial incidents after victims complained that forces were often ‘unconcerned or ineffectual’.

Today’s review found that every force had improved their response to antisocial behaviour. Following a survey of 9,300 victims and examinations of all 43 police forces, inspectors concluded there was now a greater focus on tackling the problem. Many chief officers had made it a priority, and there was also a better analysis of problem ‘hotspots’ so extra patrols could be sent to those areas.

Victims had noticed the difference, with satisfaction ratings improving since two years ago.

Almost three-quarters (74%) of respondents believed their local force was doing a good job – up from 69% in 2010. Satisfaction had improved at all levels, from handling of the initial call to the action taken, with the proportion of victims ‘very satisfied’ rising from 55% to 61%.

Chief inspector Sir Denis O’Connor said the improvements were to be ‘commended’, especially at a time when budgets were being cut.

However, not all forces were performing to consistently high standards, he added. Some were much weaker at tackling such behaviour to start with, and the extent of progress since 2010 had also varied.

Around one in three victims still said they did not get the service they feel they should, which increased to 43% for the Metropolitan Police.

O’Connor said: ‘The next step in reducing risk to the public is for forces to consistently apply practices that identify repeat victimisation and those that suffer from it.’

Responding to the report, Mehboob Khan, chair of the Local Government Association’s safer and stronger communities board, said: ‘When people are intimidated or inconvenienced by nuisance behaviour and their local neighbourhoods become blighted by graffiti and abandoned cars it is often to the council – rather than the police – that they will first turn.

‘To win the battle against antisocial behaviour and help people feel safe in their neighbourhoods, we need to see more of this joint working between councils and police. When elected police commissioners take office later this year, we will be urging them to work alongside councils and embrace the expertise within local government.’

Mark Burns-Williamson, chair of the Association of Police Authorities said inspectors had revealed many police forces are ‘making significant progress in tackling the scourge of antisocial behaviour’.

He added: ‘But much remains to be done; one in three victims of the 3.2 million incidents of antisocial behaviour in England and Wales last year do not feel that the police gave them the service that they needed. Therefore this area will remain a priority for police authorities, and no doubt also elected police and crime commissioners as they hold the police to account in the future.’

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