Ref: PR 2426
Date: 26/11/2009 

Extra funding to help key agencies tackle anti-social behaviour has been released by the Government.

Wakefield Council will receive £54,000 to publicise standards and help front-line staff and local residents receive training and support to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The drive, which is being funded by a £10million national package, will target 130 local councils including Wakefield and support measures could include:

• letting local residents know their rights and how to report anti-social behaviour through targeted leaflets, regional events and information for local media
• extra training for frontline staff such as ASB co-ordinators, police and neighbourhood wardens
• training to help residents and community champions challenge police and Councils and shape the approach to tackling anti social behaviour
• extra funding for local work to tackle anti-social behaviour such as environmental clean up campaigns, supporting community led projects to engage young people and creating more attractive public spaces

Cllr Peter Box, leader of Wakefield Council and chair of Wakefield Together, said: “We are making great progress in tackling anti-social behaviour in Wakefield district by working closely with all our partner agencies and, of course, local residents.

“We will be discussing with our partners how best to use this welcome extra funding from Government. It will help us all get the right messages across – that anti-social behaviour is unacceptable and that we will take action.”

The funding announcement also ties in with the Justice Seen Justice Done campaign, a key part of which is about ensuring the public know who to contact, what their rights are and how to get information on tackling anti-social behaviour, which in turn helps build their confidence in the criminal justice system.

For more information on Wakefield Together, visit www.wakefieldtogether.org.uk. For more information on Wakefield Council visit www.wakefield.gov.uk