Within, and between, the streets of our towns and villages, a silent and sometimes deadly epidemic persists, with victims of anti-social behaviour (ASB) enduring unacceptable repeated incidents of harassment, alarm and distress, often described by victims as living a nightmare.
The fear of repercussions often stifles reporting, which in turn perpetuates an environment where significant under-reporting disguises the true extent of ASB in our communities and resources are not deployed to where and when the incidents are occurring, only where the incidents are reported and recorded.
If not addressed, ASB can disrupt daily routines and cause annoyance and frustration. Victims may alter their behaviour to avoid certain areas or situations. Sometimes this avoidance is not an option if the ASB is linked to a neighbourhood dispute, which leaves many victims feeling trapped, isolated and a prisoner in their own home.
The fear of going out, the anxiety of encountering the perpetrators and the frustration of feeling powerless can take a toll on mental health and overall quality of life. Repeat incidents of ASB can quickly escalate from perceived low-level behaviour to more serious crimes and tragic consequences if not addressed and taken seriously,
The tragic case of Fiona Pilkington serves as a haunting reminder that such situations are not merely hypothetical but ticking time bombs waiting to explode. The link between ASB and mental health crises cannot be underestimated, yet government funding for victims does not include support for victims of ASB.
Sadly, reference to victims of ASB is absent from the Victims Bill and this is something I have raised with all of our local MP’s, ministers and shadow ministers, urging them to call on the government to address this glaring omission.
As a Police and Crime Commissioner, I am responsible for commissioning a range of victim services. So, I have been determined to ensure all victims of ASB get the same valuable support as victims of crime. I have brought victims services in house and appointed an ASB Victims Champion who ensures victims voices are heard and we learn from their experiences and address unresolved cases of ASB.
In County Durham and Darlington all victims of ASB can now access victim support services through our highly acclaimed Community Peer Mentor Service. Something I believe all ASB victims living in England and Wales should have access to.
To dismantle the silent suffering of ASB victims and end their living nightmare, all agencies must acknowledge the plight of victims and allocate necessary resources
for mental health and support services.
We have to make it easier for victims to report ASB and give them the confidence that we will take complaints seriously. Only then can we hope to prevent the tragedy of Fiona Pilkington from repeating, and truly make our communities safe and secure for everyone.