Residents have given their overwhelming support to the council’s strategic proposals for tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB).
More than 200 people, community groups, tenant groups and partner agencies responded to a six-week public consultation, with 99 per cent of respondents agreeing on the importance of tackling ASB in the city.
A total of 92 per cent agreed with the council’s identification of high-risk categories, including: drug activity, threats of violence, criminal activity, domestic abuse and hate crime – where the ASB Team would make contact in one working day.
The policy, which is set to be approved by the city council’s cabinet, pledges “prompt and appropriate” enforcement action to tackle ASB.
It commits to making ASB easy to report, working in partnership with local residents and others to deter and tackle it. It also takes a “harm-centred” approach in tackling ASB taking into account the type of behaviour and the impacts on individuals and communities.
Councillor Majid Khan, cabinet member for community resilience and safety, at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Residents, we hear you! We want a safer city for all who live, work and visit here. The response to the consultation has been phenomenal.”
In September, covert action started in the Shelton area under ‘Making Great Places’ in partnership with Staffordshire Police. Over 120 people were arrested for various offences.
Councillor Khan added: “We have seen first-hand the positive steps that are being taken to reduce ASB and criminal activity in the city. This policy will help us make things easier for residents to report incidents, it will also help us highlight areas that need extra support so we can take targeted action.”
More information will be available in the coming months.
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