Latest news with #antiSocialBehaviour
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Bolton police launch campaign to crackdown on 'summertime' crime
Greater Manchester Police has officially launched its 'Safe4Summer campaign to tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour and other crimes which seem to increase during the long hot days. The initiative - known locally as Safe4Summer – is part of the Government's mission to restore and strengthen local policing in communities and reduce or prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB). As part of this, there will be a greater visibility of police officers and partners across crime hot spot areas. READ MORE: Bolton: Anti-social behaviour hotspots identified Bolton: Police deploy transport unit to deal with antisocial behaviour 'Best police force in country' - GMP recognised as most improved force Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle, GMP's lead for Local Policing, said: 'Our neighbourhoods are negatively impacted by various crimes such as the illegal use of e-bikes, drug dealing and other ASB. 'As a force, it's our mission to listen to our community's concerns and take action where crime is committed. Our proactive approach to tackling neighbourhood crime has meant that since 2021, we've reduced burglary by a third and vehicle crime by a quarter, thanks to the dedication of our local neighbourhood teams, working closely with partners across the region. 'Over the summer months, they will be focusing on increasing engagement with our communities to listen and respond to their concerns. Residents and business owners will also see an increase in the visibility of officers and partners, as we work together to ensure a safe summer for all. This isn't about trying to spoil people's fun over the summer months, it is making sure everyone can enjoy themselves without feeling unsafe or being hurt. 'We welcome the Home Office initiative, which perfectly aligns to the neighbourhood policing model our force implemented locally two years ago. Safe4Summer is the perfect opportunity to highlight the strength of our partnerships in Greater Manchester, and our determination to minimise crime and disorder and to ensure Greater Manchester is a safer and more desirable place for all.' Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: "We're determined to ensure Greater Manchester is a safer place for everyone. The Safer Streets Summer Initiative is a testament to our dedication to reducing crime and enhancing the quality of life for our residents. 'By continuing to work closely with our communities and partners, we aim to create an environment where everyone feels safe and can enjoy not only the summer but all year round and every year. We'll be working hard to ensure our town centres are safe and welcoming for all.' TravelSafe Partnership Manager at Transport for Greater Manchester, Kate Green, said: 'While the vast majority of people using the Bee Network do so safely and responsibly, we know that crime and anti-social behaviour increases over school holidays, and that is not something we will tolerate. 'We work hard every day to keep people safe, whether that's through our engagement programme or the many proactive operations that take place. We will have an increased presence across the Bee Network to prevent and deter incidents, helping people to travel and enjoy their summer safely and with confidence.'
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Police tackle anti-social behaviour in Kent seaside towns
Nineteen people have been moved on from Kent coast town centres as part of efforts to curb anti-social behaviour, police have said. Over the weekend from Friday, dispersal orders were placed in Herne Bay and Police said neighbourhood policing teams patrolled the areas and were able to identify and tackle nuisance behaviour."Those identified were ordered to leave the local area and told that they could not return for 24 hours as they risked further prosecution," a spokesperson for the force said. The temporary measures were implemented as part of a response to reports of underage street drinking and aggressive behaviour towards staff at shops and restaurants between 19 to 21 June, the force arrested and interviewed four people aged from 12 to 17 in relation to a disturbance in Victoria Park, Herne Bay, which allegedly took place on 23 June. Two people have been bailed with conditions and another two people have been released under investigation, police also interviewed several teenagers following reports of thefts from retail shops in both Herne Bay and Whitstable. Ch Insp Paul Stoner Paul Stoner said: "Through the dispersal orders set in place over the weekend, officers have been able to act swiftly to prevent issues from escalating."Residents, visitors, and businesses deserve to feel safe, and Kent Police will continue to work to ensure Herne Bay and Whitstable remain welcoming places for everyone to enjoy."
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Our town is plagued by gangs of feral teen girls – they trash shops, & smash up our cars…we're scared in our own homes
TOO scared to leave their home, residents living in a town under siege from violent teenage girls are at their wits' end. Stores have been left trashed, car windows smashed and graffiti plastered on high-street shops by the wayward yobs - and even cops can't get a handle on the out-of-control teens, claim locals. 10 The shocking crime wave in Shirley, Southampton, has forced Hampshire Constabulary to step in and issue multiple dispersal orders in a bid to stamp out the anti-social behaviour. But a recent spate of violent attacks in the area has been linked to gangs of girls, with one local shop owner sharing horror CCTV footage of the vile abuse with The Sun. Subway manager, Naani Sheik, says his store has become a target for youths aged 13 to 16 over the last few months. He shows a clip of a foul-mouthed teenage girl hurling abuse at one Subway worker and attempting to smash the shop door before egging on her friend to finish the job. The two feral youths in the footage are thought to be part of a wider gang of young teens who have been causing misery at a shopping precinct in Southampton for months. In the shocking footage, the girl shouts 'What the f**k you recording me for? What the f**k?' before telling her mates to break the door down. The worried worker can be heard on the phone to police, as first a male youth takes a run at the door before the blonde-haired girl's friend slams it with her foot, shattering it and running away. An emotional Mr Sheik told The Sun: 'On the day it[the door] was smashed, I had asked the gang to leave and locked the door after a drinks machine was broken. They just went mad. "The gang trash the store, steal food, threaten staff and break equipment. 'One of them stole the whole cookie display cabinet, so I have had a special one made now that is bolted to the counter." Eight hooded thugs raid family corner shop which refused to buy their stolen goods He says the door cost him £216 to repair. It's one of many incidents of anti-social behaviour in recent months. In April, a wave of anti-social behaviour linked to girls in Shirley became so bad, cops laid on extra patrols in the area. Two girls aged 13 and 14 were issued dispersal orders as a result and one was arrested for ignoring the order. In the same month another teenage girl was arrested for allegedly threatening shoppers in the local Co-op with a pair of scissors. And in June a 14 year old girl was arrested after spraying a Pep & Co security guard with foam and damaging a shop door. Just weeks ago, the owner of a food truck in Shirley said violent teens "crushed his dreams" after torching his van and putting him out of business. From two o'clock in the evening, we are on edge. We phone up the police and we get nothing. Resident There were 367 crimes reported in the area across March 2024, which surged to 447 in March earlier this year and despite the police crackdown, terrified residents say not much has changed. Mr Sheik has collected videos and photos of those involved and sent them to the police but says little has been done to stop the out-of-control gangs. He adds: 'Everyday I am ringing the police or uploading videos to 101. An officer sometimes comes down, but one of them told me they were 'kids just playing, having fun.' 'It's not playing its criminal damage.' 'Living in fear' Other footage captured from his store shows youths brazenly stealing cookies in broad daylight. In another incident highlighting the chaos, local business Sunnyday International Foods had its window smashed. The Co-op on Foyes Corner stores in the precinct has also restricted the number of unsupervised children allowed in after-school times. It comes as cops were forced to hold a PACT – Police and Community Together – meeting last month in which angry business owners and residents said they were afraid to go to work because of the gang. At the meeting, police said they were "working tirelessly" to tackle the shocking spike in antisocial behaviour 10 10 10 But residents, of whom more than 50 attended, said the gang were now ruining all the hard work that had been done to improve the local area. One woman who works at the library in the precinct told how staff were living in fear of the gang saying: 'From two o'clock in the evening, we are on edge. We phone up the police and we get nothing. "You know why they are doing this? Because it's fun. "It is not fun for us to come to work. People are beginning to get frightened in their own homes.' In the precinct, nearly every business has been hit by the gangs who congregate on benches in the centre, abusing shoppers. Mr Sheik says he believes the gang, some of whom wear school uniforms, post footage of their antics to social media. He added: 'They seem really proud of what they do, but now when I see them arrive in the precinct, I start getting really anxious; it's affecting my mental health. 'I tried another tactic of befriending them and saying they could sit in the shop and have water while they chatted. It worked for a day, then they started vaping or smoking and bullying customers.' He has been putting some photos of the gang on social media in the hopes that the school they attend will recognise them, or their parents will take action. The gang trash the store, steal food, threaten staff and break equipment. They just went mad.' Mr Naana Sheik, Subway manager Next door to the Subway, Sunnyday International Food has also had its shop window smashed. A worker inside who wished to remain anonymous said: 'The kids come in here and steal stuff. They kicked the window until it broke. It is just mindless.' At the mobile phone shop, a staff member told how they now hid vapes away because the gang had stolen so many. He said: 'They come in on mass and just going round doing all sorts, it's impossible to stop them." At Peacocks on the high street, a shop assistant revealed how the gang have been climbing all over the roof of the store, spraying graffiti on it and throwing stones and eggs at people while drinking alcohol. She said: 'They used to come into the store, but security staff got rid of them, so now they go on the roof. 'They also completely smashed up a van in the car park. They are completely out of control.' Despite business owners claiming nothing is being done to tackle the gang, cops have said they are taking action. In a statement, Hampshire police said: 'We are investigating a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour, carried out by a small group of teenagers in and around Shirley High Street. "As part of our ongoing work to tackle this, we have implemented extra patrols throughout the day in the area, as well as utilising dispersal orders and other powers available to the police in order to remove the group from the area when they are behaving in this manner. 'Officers have also arrested a 14-year-old girl from Southampton, who is reported to be most often involved in incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area, as part of broader enquiries, and our work to find the appropriate outcome for this investigation is ongoing, and involves a number of our partner agencies from outside of policing as well. 'Our local bobby for Shirley is also working closely with businesses in the area, spending time visiting, particularly when out on patrol, to provide them with reassurance and ensure they can share any concerns or further reports they may have. 'While this anti-social behaviour has involved a small group of teenagers, we are acutely aware of the impact it has on the local community, and we are working hard to tackle this.' Councillor Christie Lambert, Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City at Southampton City Council, told The Sun: 'Southampton City Council is profoundly saddened by the recent surge in anti-social and criminal behaviour, predominantly involving youths, which has cast a shadow over one of our most beloved high streets. "We recognise the significantly negative impact these deplorable acts have had on our local businesses and their dedicated owners, and it is entirely unacceptable that they have been subjected to such distress and hardship. "With serious challenges in a lack of local police resource on Southampton's high streets, we are incredibly grateful for the Council's youth justice team and community partners who are working with these young people, providing crucial support and guidance to help them make better choices. "Criminal behaviour in our city will not be tolerated, and, as a council, we remain dedicated to ensuring Southampton remains a safe and supportive community for all to thrive in and enjoy. "To that end, I would encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses anti-social behaviour of any kind to report it. Every report is crucial and helps us to identify areas of need, so we can work towards more targeted solutions.' The dire situation has now left residents wanting to take action themselves, threatening to handcuff youths to lampposts "with their name and address hung round their neck". Despite cops promising to curb the surge in crime, locals are growing increasingly distrustful and frustrated in a suburb where violent scenes are becoming increasingly familiar. 10
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Calls for Hartlepool Station security boost after attack
Residents are calling for more lighting and an increased police presence outside a train station after a man was reportedly bus stops outside Hartlepool station have become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, with youths gathering there at night, local people Police was called to the area on 24 June after reports of teenagers throwing glass at a taxi and assaulting a 54-year-old man had minor injuries and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Warning: This article contains a video with graphic content which some may find are looking through CCTV and mobile phone footage. No arrests have yet been resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said incidents like it had become increasingly common."I think it happens because it is dark and there are not many people around this street at night," they said. "We need lighting and police otherwise they are not going to stop."The resident captured footage of a group of teenagers allegedly harassing a homeless man in one of the bus shelters."They jumped on him and beat him up but they ran away as soon as they heard the police sirens," they said. Ch Insp Andy Liddell said: "Our Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) is committed to tackling the issues that affect our communities the most. "The team carries out regular patrols to ensure we're visible in our neighbourhoods and engaging with residents."We have dedicated officers and PCSOs in each ward who work as part of our NPT. "Together, they work closely with key partners to address issues including anti-social behaviour through early intervention and problem-solving approaches as we know policing alone cannot solve the issue."Whilst we're always proactive in our approach, information from the public remains vital so we can continue to build intelligence and take action."A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesperson said: "Given that there is an ongoing police investigation, it would be inappropriate for the council to comment." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Gloucestershire PCC says heat 'brings worst out of people'
A police and crime commissioner (PCC) has warned that the summer months "bring the worst out of people" as a new safety initiative is organisations and emergency services launched the Safer Streets Summer Initiative in Kings Square on Monday in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Nelson, Gloucestershire's PCC, said ASB increases in the summer, with his office recording 256 incidents in July, August and September in 2024, at a rate of about three incidents per Issachar Foster from The Music Works, which supports young people, said those engaging in ASB may be doing so "out of boredom". Mr Nelson said ASB "often goes underreported" due to the public thinking the police "won't do anything about it"."We do, and we've improved our 101 reporting system so the average waiting time is less than one minute," he said."In the summer months, when the sun comes out, it tends to bring the worst out of people. "People get short-tempered, drinking in the streets - that's often how it is made worse." Alex McIntyre, MP for Gloucester, was also at the launch and said those who have experienced ASB "wouldn't describe it as low level"."It's persistent, it annoys the hell out of you and it really can cause misery to people's lives," he said."It's so important that we tackle it and that people can come to the city centre, feel safe... and make this the most brilliant place to come and spend the day." Mr Foster, creative programme manager at The Music Works, said the youth-led organisation helps young people access music."We have reached a lot of young people, especially in the last few years but there's still so many more for us to reach," he said."I definitely do think young people get a bad rep but then, at the same time, I think there's nothing for them to do, so where they might act out of boredom then it might be perceived as a whole lot more."
