Agenda item

To receive an update on anti-social behaviour in the Borough.

The Community and Public Space Protection Manager was in attendance at the meeting to provide the sub-committee with an update in relation to anti-social behaviour.  The presentation covered the roles and responsibilities of the Community Protection team, current key headlines and partnership working.

Members were informed that the services delivered by the Community Protection team were: housing related anti-social behaviour; environmental crime; dog warden services; security operations and CCTV control room; public space disorder and victim support.

The sub-committee was informed that there were 3786 new anti-social behaviour related cases since the beginning of the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020.  In comparison to the previous 18 months, this was an increase of 800 cases.  Noise complaints had increased since lockdown and independent mediation was used in some cases to manage situations.

The sub-committee discussed project Vita which was in operation to help prevent youth related anti-social behaviour.  The project helped to engage young people in activities that they wanted to do and offered support to those that were vulnerable.  The project had been seen as a model of best practice to deal with youth related anti-social behaviour.

Members were informed of partnership work undertaken to tackle anti-social behaviour in the borough.  This included operation coast watch in the summer months to help reduce anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol consumption.  This was done in conjunction with the Tynemouth/Cullercoats Collective and Northumbria Police and helped to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area by 42%.  The Community Protection team also carried out joint visits with Northumbria Police to residential properties where there were reports of anti-social behaviour. 

Members were informed that as part of changes in the way that anti-social behaviour is tackled, all victims are now risk assessed to find out about any support needs they may have in dealing with the impact of anti-social behaviour.  This involved victims completing a survey with a number of questions that provided a score at the end to indicate the level of support required.

The sub-committee discussed the security cameras that were in use around the borough, both fixed and mobile, to capture and deter anti-social behaviour.  The mobile cameras could be moved quickly to areas where most needed and where people were not used to them being there.  The control centre operating the cameras worked closely with Northumbria Police and responded to requests to reposition cameras when police were responding to incident calls.

Anti-social behaviour on the Metros was raised and it was acknowledged that there were challenges to addressing anti-social behaviour at stations and on the trains themselves.  New CCTV had been installed on trains and at stations, along with the recruitment of customer assistants.  The Authority held regular conversations with Nexus about the issue of anti-social behaviour on the Metro.

Members were reminded that at the previous meeting of Housing sub-committee it was agreed that a sub-group be established in relation to anti-social behaviour.  Volunteers had been sought to serve on the group and discussions would be held with the Chair of the sub-committee and relevant officers to help shape a scope for a study prior to the initial meeting of the group.

It was agreed to note the information provided in the presentation and discussion.