Whether you live in a city, town or village, one of the most common challenges you are likely to face is antisocial behaviour (ASB).

When asked which of 21 policing issues residents of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly wanted more investment in ASB came out top, with 55 per cent of people saying they wanted more to be done about it. 

Left unchecked, in some cases ASB has spiralled out of control to the point where serious crimes, even murders, have been committed. Early reporting is vital, but frustratingly most of those who witness ASB or who have been a victim (56 per cent) do not report it to anyone, according to the Neighbourhood Watch Association.

Perhaps that is because recognising what is ASB can be difficult. Noise nuisance including loud music and banging at unsocial hours; household disputes; harassment and environmental antisocial behaviour like rubbish dumping are all ASB. People doing DIY, children playing at reasonable times of the day and bad parking are examples of activities which often get reported as ASB but which probably aren’t.

Both councils and police have responsibilities to tackling ASB, and unless it is an emergency your local authority ASB team is a good place to start. These exist at Torbay, Plymouth and Cornwall’s unitary councils and at Devon’s district councils.

My office has been successful in obtaining Safer Streets funding to support efforts to tackle ASB and create safer spaces for us to enjoy. Last week I visited Torquay’s CCTV control room, which is one of those around the peninsula to benefit from investment secured by my team, and we helped promote an initiative that has created a ‘safe space’ for women at night in Exeter. In total almost £5m has been secured from this fund for Devon and Cornwall, with Falmouth, Plymouth, Torbay, Exeter, Barnstaple and Truro all benefitting.

I have also commissioned an ASB outreach team of experts who are heading out and engaging with some of those accused of causing a nuisance.

And I am working with councils who have been making use of legislation which gives them and police extra powers to tackle problems. As I write this Plymouth City Council is asking residents whether they support an extension of a three-year Public Spaces Protection Order which was put in place in 2020. 

So, while ASB is a significant cause for concern, there is a huge amount going on to tackle it in the region, and plenty of help and advice available for people whose lives are being blighted by it.

If you are unsure of where to go, the organisation ASB Help has some great information on its website - asbhelp.co.uk, and Victim Support has a 24/7 helpline 0808 1689 111.