A major new campaign to help people take a stand against anti-social behaviour has launched across County Durham and Darlington.
The campaign, funded by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, will appear at bus shelters throughout the county and across social media to coincide with national ASB Awareness Week, which runs from July 3rd until 9th.
Under the headline, ‘Don’t Suffer in Silence’, the media campaign signposts people to the PCC’s website where they can access relevant support and report ASB to the appropriate agency whether the police, a local council or a housing provider. It also aims to reduce the number of inappropriate calls to the force by making the system for reporting ASB clearer.
The campaign is in direct response to feedback from the public that showed many people still do not know how or who to contact to report ASB. It also highlighted the need for better signposting to services.
The PCC, who has unveiled a series of dedicated information pages on her website to help anyone impacted by ASB, is determined to provide more support to victims of ASB in recognition of the huge toll this behaviour has on emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Commissioner Allen has ensured officers and partners are able to use the full suite of powers available to prevent ASB and has refreshed the ASB Case Review scheme to make it easier for victims to complain about the handling of their case and seek redress for persistent problems.