South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings is supporting a national campaign that brings together people and organisations from across the country to take a stand against anti-social behaviour (ASB) and aims to make communities safer.

Running from 3-9 July, ASB Awareness Week 2023 aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.

Organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, the week features a series of events across the UK involving councils, police forces, housing associations, charities, community groups and sports clubs.

Recent YouGov research found that 1 in 10 people have moved home because of the impact ASB was having on them. Despite this, over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witness, did not report the ASB.

Dr Billings said: “We have seen increased concerns around certain types of ASB in South Yorkshire in recent years. That is why one of the three priorities within my Police and Crime Plan is Tackling Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour.

“Whenever I go to community meetings people invariably want to talk about ASB as much as, if not more than, crime.

“ASB is not a low-level crime, it devastates communities and has a profound impact on victims. I encourage people to report incidents of ASB to the anti-social behaviour team at their local council, or to the police if they feel they are in immediate danger.”