Ref: PR 2610
Date: 14/05/2010

The Wakefield Together Partnership is working with community champions and using technology to drive down anti-social behaviour across Wakefield district.

By working in partnership, the anti-social behaviour unit can now analyse complaints made to the Council, Police and Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) to effectively identify repeat victims, repeat locations for anti-social behaviour and use the information to target known perpetrators.

The Unit is a joint operation consisting of Wakefield Council case officers working alongside police officers seconded from Wakefield District Police and partners such as Wakefield and District Housing

The Unit uses the full range of powers available to it including anti-social behaviour orders, crack house closures, premises closure notices and dispersal orders.

The Unit is also working with Anti-Social Behaviour Champions across the district by offering training and advice so they can work locally to support the ASB unit.

Victims’ Champion Julie New is now employed by the unit to help to local people affected by anti-social behaviour, whether this is the victim, a witness or their family.

Ms New previously worked for Victim Support as a volunteer with the Leeds Witness Service helping and supporting people through the court process. She has also worked as a community volunteer supporting people bereaved by homicide and has been trained to support victims of rape and serious sexual offences.

The Wakefield Together Partnership has also launched a bus advertising campaign encouraging citizens to report anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Olivia Rowley, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion said: "The Wakefield Together Partnership continues to make positive inroads when dealing with issues around anti-social behaviour. By bringing agencies together, we are able to work more effectively to help ensure we respond to citizen’s concerns and all reports are taken seriously and acted upon promptly.

"As citizens of Wakefield, we want to keep our district safe and continue to drive down crime so we encourage citizens not to tolerate anti-social behaviour. If they see or experience it, I would strongly urge people to report it. I can assure citizens all reports and concerns are treated in confidence."

Superintendent Ingrid Lee, Wakefield District Police's lead on Neighbourhoods & Partnerships, said: "Anti-social behaviour blights the lives of people living in our communities. It will not be tolerated and we are working hard with our partners to tackle it. The Victims' Champion will bring much needed support to those affected by anti-social behaviour and help us to take positive action against those that offend."

To report anti-social behaviour, call 0845 6060606 (Police) , 0845 8 506506 (Council) or for WDH tenants, call 0845 8 507507.