In Cambridgeshire police launched a campaign against anti-social behaviour. That’s in anticipation of a traditional rise in the number of incidents over the summer months.
Officers will be visiting schools and warning off-licences not to sell to under-18s as part of the crime prevention drive.
This s part of the force’s ‘Get Closer’ campaign which raises awareness of crime trends.
The aim – to deter anti-social behaviour and to encourage the public to report it.
In the four months from June to September last year there were 10,298 incidents of anti-social behaviour reported in the county. This compared to 8862 incidents in the four months from October to January this year.
Insp Dick Lowings, the force’s lead on anti-social behaviour, said: “Traditionally there is a peak in anti-social behaviour in the summer months when the evenings are longer and warmer and children are on their school holidays.
“However, we are committed to reversing this trend. As well as warning people of the consequences of being involved in anti-social behaviour we are also encouraging the public to report all incidents. Without this information we are not able to take action.
“There are many kinds of anti-social behaviour, such as neighbour disputes and obstructive parking, but it is known that excessive noise, rowdy and nuisance behaviour and underage drinking is a frequent cause.”
Activity this month will include:
* Presentations at schools in the Huntingdonshire area.
* A survey asking pupils at schools in Huntingdonshire where they socialise and asking what facilities would divert them from gathering in specific areas.
* Posters put up in schools across the county highlighting the consequences of having a criminal record resulting from anti-social behaviour or criminal damage
* Letters to parents in specific areas giving advice on underage drinking and the law
* Postcards delivered to residents in areas affected by anti-social behaviour in Peterborough, Fenland and Huntingdonshire encouraging them to report incidents
* Posters aimed at staff of off-licences across the county reminding them of the consequences of selling alcohol to under-18s.
* The force will also be targeting 14 to 18 year olds with advertising on Facebook.
