VICTIMS of anti-social behaviour are being urged to speak up.

Today (November 18) marks the start of ASB Awareness Week 2024, a national campaign that seeks to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB.

Cheshire West and Chester Council are working with housing associations, the police and other key partners to help put an end to ASB.

Cllr Christine Warner, cabinet member for homes, planning and safer communities, said: “Please do not suffer in silence if you experience ASB.

“Incidents can be reported to the partnership police and council anti-social behaviour unit through online reporting on the Cheshire Police website, calling 101, or on 999 if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger.

“ASB can range from relatively low-level to more serious behaviours; even lower level ASB can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on the lives of victims and communities and can often be a precursor to more serious crime.”

ASB is defined in law as any behaviour which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm and/or distress to others. 

It can result in a range of negative emotional, behavioural, social, health and financial impacts and has been linked to personal harm including avoidance behaviours, stress, anxiety, depression and can even cause damage to the local economy.

Recent YouGov research found that almost one in five people have considered moving home because of the impact ASB was having on them and one in 10 have actually moved.

Despite this, over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witness of ASB did not report it.

If the same problem is reported three or more times in a period of six months, the ‘ASB Case Review’ can be activated.

Cllr Warner added: “Residents may not be aware of the ASB Case Review which was previously known as the ‘Community Trigger’.  This is a process which allows members of the public to ask the Community Safety Partnership to review agencies responses to complaints of ASB.

“The ASB Case Review is designed to ensure partners work together to stop ASB and prevent further harm to victims and communities.

“Where an application for the ASB Case Review is upheld, we will appoint a panel to review all reports of ASB made to the council, police or registered social landlords to ensure that appropriate action has been taken to address the problem.”