South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings has joined a national campaign that is bringing together people and organisations from across the country to take a stand against anti-social behaviour and make communities safer.

The UK’s first ever Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week – Making Communities Safer takes place this week (19-25 July) and aims to encourage communities to take a stand against Anti-Social behaviour (ASB) and highlight options available to those facing it.

The week of action is bringing together people and organisations from across the country to take a stand and work together to make communities safer.

Anti-Social behaviour (ASB) is rising and agencies have reported increases over the lock down period. With the easing of restrictions from today (Monday) the situation is expected to get worse.

Organised by community safety specialists Resolve, ASB Awareness Week is being backed by the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Local Government Association (LGA), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC).

The week is supported locally by the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings and South Yorkshire Police.

Dr Billings said: “Anti-social behaviour should not be dismissed as just low level crime. It devastates the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime.

“Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour is a priority within my Police and Crime Plan, as I believe that everyone has a right to feel safe at home, at work and within their community.”

Rebecca Bryant OBE, chief executive of Resolve, said: “We need to change the way we think about ASB. It is not low-level crime. It devastates the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime.

As the nation begins to recover from the impact of the pandemic and our society and economy celebrates the start of return to normal life, it is important that the challenge of ASB continues to be given the priority it needs nationally and locally so that people feel safe in their homes and communities.

“It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.”

For more information visit www.resolveuk.org.uk/asbawarenessweek