News MBC supporting ASB Awareness Week 2023

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has joined a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and keep people across the borough safe.

Running from 3 – 9 July, ASB Awareness Week 2023 aims to encourage communities to take a stand against the issue and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.

Recent YouGov research commissioned by Resolve found that almost one in five people have had to consider moving home because of the impact ASB was having on them; 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.

Cllr Lottie Parfitt Reid, MBC Cabinet Member for Housing and Health, said:

We are urging anyone who experiences anti-social behaviour not to suffer in silence. There is a specialist team based at the Council who can support them and they should not think they are alone – there is help out there.

ASB Incidents can be reported to our Community Protection Team, or to Kent Police if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger please do get in touch and let us help you.

Working with partner agencies in Maidstone the Council’s Community Protection Team has organised events throughout the week to highlight the support available to residents who may need help. This includes an event on Young People’s Day Friday 7 July at Maidstone Leisure Centre from 2-5pm when officers will be available to tell people about the work being carried out to reduce violence and crime.

The team will be supporting Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit and Kent Police at the Leisure Centre to showcase a new Serious Violence and Knife Crime exhibition which will be on show for the following week.

Young People’s Day is being held to:

• Bust the myth of young people as the main perpetrators
• Highlight stories that show young people are often the silent victims
• Promote organisations and initiatives that serve young people
• Share case studies of young people who have been supported to stay out of trouble

Organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, the week features a series of events all across the UK involving councils, police forces, housing associations, charities, community groups and sports clubs.

Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive of Resolve added:

Antisocial behaviour is not low-level. It can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime.

It is important that the challenge of ASB continues to be given the priority it needs so that people everywhere feel safe in their homes and communities.  

We are delighted that Maidstone Borough Council is supporting this hugely important campaign. It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.

For more information about ASB Awareness Week – visit: www.resolveuk.org.uk

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