News Residents invited to community events to help tackle anti-social behaviour
Maidstone Borough Council, Kent Police, and local partners are inviting residents to actively participate in ASB Awareness Week 2025 by attending a series of community events next week.
These events, hosted by Golding Homes, are a key part of the national campaign to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) and promote safer communities, running from June 30 to July 6. They offer a direct opportunity for residents to meet local officers, ask questions, and learn more about how to report and prevent ASB in their neighbourhoods.
Residents can take part between 3pm and 6pm on Wednesday, 2nd July at:
- Mandarin Road, Rosewood, Langley, ME17 3UJ
- The Beacons, Coxheath, ME17 4DL
- Calder Road, Ringlestone, ME14 2RA
These events underscore a unified message: everyone deserves to feel safe where they live, and tackling ASB is a shared responsibility that requires the entire community to work together.
ASB encompasses actions that harm or show a lack of consideration for the well-being of others. It goes beyond simple nuisance, chipping away at confidence, sense of belonging, and peace of mind. Nationally, there were over 891,000 reports of ASB in 2024. In Maidstone, reports rose by 28% last year, indicating an increase in some ASB.
Councillor David Naghi, Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Safety said: “When someone feels unsafe on their street or anxious in their own home, that’s not just a statistics problem, that’s a people problem. Tackling ASB is something none of us can do alone. But together, through trust and collaboration, we can change things for the better.”
While Maidstone’s Community Protection Team and Kent Police are at the forefront, investigating reports, engaging with residents, and using tools like Community Protection Notices and Public Space Protection Orders, enforcement is only one part of the solution and real change happens when everyone leans in.
Our collaborative efforts involve:
- Kent Police Neighbourhood Policing Teams who keep our streets safe, from Beat Officers on patrol to the Child Centred Policing Team supporting vulnerable young people.
- Switch Youth Café offering a warm, welcoming space for young people.
- The Street Pastors and the Urban Blue Bus who are the steady hands of our night-time economy, ensuring help is always nearby.
- Local clubs and activity groups providing powerful alternatives that inspire confidence, teamwork, and a sense of purpose.
This multi-agency partnership reflects Maidstone’s commitment to building a safer, more connected, and resilient community.
Anti-social behaviour often starts small, a neighbour dispute, a noisy car, but if left unchecked, it can escalate into more serious problems, including criminal damage and violence. That’s why early action and community trust are crucial. Research from YouGov, commissioned by Resolve, highlights the widespread impact of ASB, revealing that nearly 1 in 5 people have considered moving due to ASB, and 1 in 10 have actually moved. Despite this, over half of those who experienced or witnessed ASB did not report it.
Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive of Resolve, said: “ASB is not low-level. It can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on individuals and communities and often escalates to increasingly harmful behaviour. We are delighted that Maidstone Council is backing this vital campaign. It is only through strong local partnerships that we can meet the growing challenge of ASB and ensure people feel safe where they live.”
When we listen, act, and empower people to speak up, we stop problems from growing and help communities heal. We encourage everyone to come to our upcoming events and learn how we can work together for a safer Maidstone.
If you are affected by ASB, you can report it to your local council’s ASB team or call the police if you are in immediate danger. Don’t suffer in silence—help and support are available. For more information about ASB Awareness Week, visit www.resolveuk.org.uk/asb-awareness-week.