Victims' Commissioner: Police Neglect Anti-Social Behavior, Leaving Sufferers in Limbo
Baroness Newlove's report reveals ongoing neglect of anti-social behavior by authorities, with victims enduring years of abuse. Government pledges action, but implementation of previous recommendations remains lacking.
A recent report by Baroness Newlove, the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, has shed light on the persistent issue of anti-social behavior and the inadequate response from law enforcement and local authorities. The findings reveal a disturbing trend of victims enduring prolonged periods of abuse due to inaction from those tasked with addressing their complaints.
The report, based on a survey of over 550 victims, highlights that many have been "living the nightmare" of anti-social behavior for five years or more. This period coincides with the time since Baroness Newlove's initial report in 2019, which urged officials to implement a seven-point action plan.
"Victims spoke of anti-social behaviour that festers for years, severely impacting their daily lives and mental health. Some victims tell me they are being driven to the brink of suicide."
The survey revealed that 61% of victims experienced noise nuisance, while 52% faced verbal abuse. Threatening behavior, harassment, and intimidation affected 50% of respondents, with criminal damage and vandalism impacting 40%. These statistics align with the fact that noise complaints are the most common form of anti-social behavior reported in the UK.
Despite 83% of victims reporting incidents to authorities, 63% stated that the behavior persisted. This lack of resolution has led to severe consequences, with some victims forced to relocate to escape the ongoing issues. The report emphasizes the need for authorities to recognize the serious impact of what they often dismiss as "low-level" crime.
Dame Diana Johnson, the crime and policing minister, has pledged that addressing anti-social behavior is a top government priority. Plans include deploying more neighborhood police and community support officers, introducing new powers to tackle repeat offenders, and strengthening the Victims' Commissioner's authority.
It's worth noting that the UK has made previous attempts to address this issue, such as the introduction of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) in 1998, which were later replaced by Civil Injunctions and Criminal Behaviour Orders in 2014. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 also provided tools for tackling these problems, including the Community Trigger mechanism for case reviews.
Baroness Newlove's report makes four key recommendations:
1. Police should identify patterns of anti-social behavior and ensure appropriate action.
2. Victims must receive the same legal right to support as other crime victims.
3. A "single point of contact" should be established for each case.
4. The ASB case review mechanism should be overhauled.
The personal experience of Baroness Newlove, whose husband Gary was murdered in 2007 after confronting youths causing disturbances in their community, underscores the potential for anti-social behavior to escalate into more serious crimes.
As the UK grapples with this ongoing issue, it's clear that more concrete action is needed to support victims and effectively address anti-social behavior. The implementation of recommendations from both the 2019 and current reports will be crucial in determining whether real progress can be made in the coming years.
