By Local Democracy Reporter Simon Finlay
Authorities have been urged to give greater clarity over surprise figures showing a dramatic decrease in antisocial behaviour (ASB) in Kent.
Statistics show an 18% fall in ASB at a time when some communities feel the opposite is true.
A Kent Community Safety Partnership (KCSP) report to Kent County Council (KCC) said between April 2022 and March 2023 Kent Police recorded 27,528 incidents of ASB. In the previous 12 months, that figure was 32,564.
Kent Police say that some of the increase for the previous year was due to ASB reports while Covid-19 restrictions were in place, but are unable to say how much.
The main types of antisocial behaviour were rowdy or nuisance gatherings in public; drunken and rowdy behaviour; neighbour disputes/nuisance and motor vehicle nuisance on roads.
Police Supt. Peter Steenhuis admitted he did not know how much of the decrease in ASB incidents this year was down to a spike during Covid-19.
He said: “Antisocial behaviour is still an important issue to us. We still want to address it as it is key to the community.”
In Margate, Cllr Barry Lewis (Lab) said that people are discouraged to report ASB and crime because it is “too difficult” to reach the police on the non-emergency 101 line.
He said: “In Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs there is a major problem with ASB because of cutbacks. Crime is on the increase but reported crime is on the decrease because no one can get through.”
KCSP is behind the Kent Community Safety Agreement (CSA).
KCSP chairman Mike Hill OBE says in his introduction to the CSA: “Whilst enforcement of the law will always play a major part in community safety, much can be done to prevent problems before they arise and a great deal of effort is devoted to supporting and safeguarding vulnerable people, tackling issues of substance misuse, improving road safety, enhancing quality of life and developing community resilience.”
The report suggests ASB is a “priority” for the county’s 12 Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs).
People with long-term health problems or mental health issues were more likely to have been victims or witnesses to ASB.
The issue was discussed at Thursday’s (July 19) KCC scrutiny committee meeting at County Hall.
