Anti-social behaviour falls by 64% in five years

Proactive work to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Essex has seen incidents fall by 64% since 2019.

There were 15,217 ASB incidents recorded in the 12 months to February 2024. The number for the corresponding period five years earlier was 42,831 – a difference of 27,614.

In the past 12 months alone, ASB is down by 31.9% with 7,034 fewer incidents reported.

ASB has fallen by at least 22% in every district in Essex in the past year and by more than 40% in Southend, Maldon and Tendring.

However, the force is stepping up efforts to further drive down offending with a series of proactive initiatives.

Essex is one of 16 forces across the country to be part of the government’s hotspot policing and immediate justice pilot. Thirteen areas from Clacton to Thurrock benefited from eight months of dedicated ASB patrolling by police and council colleagues under Operation Dial.

Community policing teams (CPTs) have also been working in partnership with community safety officers, council teams, businesses and neighbourhood groups to combat problems including abusive behaviour, drug dealing and nuisance vehicles.

Southend CPT have seen ASB fall by 45% in a year after working with the council and Business Improvement District (BID) to enforce the terms of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that prohibits bikes and e-scooters in the city centre. The city also has two Op Dial zones.

In Chelmsford, offences have dropped by 31% after operations to tackle aggressive begging and issues related to drugs and alcohol at the bus station and surrounding areas, and to combat nuisance vehicles and speeding.

Problems in Thurrock with bikers illegally using private land to race led to the purchase of two quad bikes in conjunction with the council and the launch of Op Caesar. The team have recently issued Section 59 warnings to seven riders and set up a portal that allows the public to upload phone or CCTV footage of ASB.

In Harlow, the CPT have seized more than 200 e-scooters and hundreds of alcoholic drinks in an effort to improve the town centre and enforce the terms of the local PSPO. The district has seen a 24.2% fall in ASB with 313 fewer incidents.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet, who is also the NPCC lead for anti-social behaviour, said:

“The reduction in offending is positive news but our work to tackle anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime hotspots continues.

“ASB isn’t ‘low-level’, it causes serious damage in communities. Nobody should feel intimidated or harassed in the area they live or work.

“Our officers are out on patrol on housing estates and high streets across the county to provide a visible deterrent and engage with people.

“Whether it’s street drinking, noise, irresponsible use of vehicles or drug dealing, we have operations in place that are dealing with the individuals responsible and limiting their ability to reoffend.

“If anyone has an issue with ASB, we want them to report it to us and we will work together with our partners in local authorities to tackle the problems and the underlying causes.”

Did you know we have a few different ways you can contact us?

If you would like to report a non-emergency crime, antisocial behaviour, or give us information, you can report online or by use our Live Chat service.

To find out more about our different reporting services, 999 BSL and much more visit our Help Us Help You page.