Victims of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Calderdale will be given more powers to tackle the problem thanks to the introduction of the Community Trigger.
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act became law on 20 October 2014. The Community Trigger, which is part of the Act will allow a victim, or a community, suffering from ASB to ask for a review of their case if they feel that more could be done in their area to tackle the problem.
Any individual, community or business will be able to activate a Community Trigger by contacting Calderdale’s ASB Partnership Team. This will lead to an ASB case review by the Calderdale Community Safety Partnership (CSP) if it meets a locally agreed threshold. In Calderdale this is where an individual, or a community, has made at least three complaints within a six month period, or has reported one incident of hate crime and the victim is not satisfied with the response they have received.
Calderdale Council Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Marcus Thompson said:
“Anti-social behaviour has a huge impact on individuals and on communities, causing fear and distress to those affected.
“The Calderdale Community Trigger is a great way of handing back control to the victims. If they feel that they are not being heard they can now take action, by contacting the Council to ask for an ASB case review.”
The case review will bring together the Council, the police, health professionals and social housing providers to share information, discuss what has already been done to tackle the problem and decide what further actions could be taken.
The findings, including any recommendations, will be sent to the complainant within 15 working days after the panel has met.
Chief Superintendent Angela Williams, said:
“Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for Calderdale police and we work very closely with our partners to make sure that we stop the issue in its tracks before it becomes a problem for the communities we serve.
“Levels of anti-social behaviour across the District are at an all-time low and we want them to remain so. Supporting victims is key to this and the new community trigger is another power that allows the police and council to deal with the issue head on and to support our communities.
“I would appeal directly to anyone or any community suffering from anti-social behaviour to come forward and tell us what is happening so that we can then take action to stop it.”
Janette Pearce, Head of Pennine Housing 2000, said:
“The introduction of the Community Trigger will support our longstanding commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour in Calderdale. It will help to promote a ‘victim centred approach’, prevent gaps in service delivery and ensure that effective partnership working and accountability exists between local agencies.”
If you are the victim of ASB and feel that your case has not been dealt with appropriately you can activate a Community Trigger by:
- Sending an email to the Calderdale ASB Partnership Team at asbunit@calderdale.gov.uk
- Calling Calderdale Council on 01422 288001
- Calling the Police on 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in an emergency
- Calling Pennine Housing on 0300 5555557
Calderdale’s Community Safety Partnership and the Police and Crime Commissioner will monitor the number of Community Trigger applications which have been made, the number that reach the threshold for an ASB case review and the number which result in further action by the partners.
Further information can be found at www.calderdale.gov.uk