Report it right: Residents urged to report anti-social behaviour

Over the past three months, the Council has undertaken 42 enforcement actions against young people aimed at improving their future behaviour.

These have taken the form of advisory letters, which warn individuals about their future behaviour and give them an opportunity to change their ways, through to what are known as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC’s), which are the next step of the process and involve signed contracts between relevant agencies and individuals formally committing them not to cause further ASB.

When these are breached, the Council can look at formal legal interventions such as injunctions which can ban individuals from specific areas for a period of time, including town centres, parks or other places.

Injunctions also run the risk for individuals of them being publicly identified.

With these avenues open to the Council, it is vital that residents report concerns about individuals or groups direct to the Police or the Council so we can build up an evidence base of the behaviour, and to identify those responsible, which is crucial to undertake the appropriate enforcement actions.

Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Whilst the vast majority of our young people play a positive role in our communities, a minority choose not to. We understand residents’ concerns and are working with the Police to take robust action against those responsible when necessary and appropriate to do so.

“Reporting incidents directly to us is crucial. Relying solely on social media posts limits our ability to collect evidence and take meaningful action. We urge everyone to use the correct reporting channels so we can identify offenders and intervene quickly and appropriately.

“Our teams are working hard to reduce ASB and our CCTV network is also able to make a huge difference, enabling us to capture footage we can use as evidence – providing we’re given the right information about times and places where ASB has taken place.”

In terms of ASB across all ages, other recent enforcement action the Council has undertaken includes a closure order, which prohibits public access to a property, six pending injunctions, which prohibits individuals from causing further ASB, otherwise a fine or imprisonment is possible, and four Fixed Penalty Notices related to street drinking.

Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood, said: “Combating anti-social behaviour is an issue that is always at the forefront of our minds as a neighbourhood policing team.

“We’re aware of issues of ASB in Newark and are actively working closely with our partners at the council to see what we can do to limit it in and around our town centre and the rest of the force area.

“Our officers are regularly joined on their visible patrols by community protection officers from the council, while we also engage with businesses when we’re out in the community to identify issues and respond to them.

“Providing a visible presence in this manner does also play a role in deterring offending on our streets, with this approach helping us reduce ASB by 15% in the last year across Newark and Sherwood.”

The Council continues to work closely with Nottinghamshire Police and also delivers preventative initiatives in schools, such as ‘Prison Me No Way’ and safety events, to educate and deter young people from engaging in ASB.

The ‘Prison Me No Way’ programme reached over 1,100 secondary school students last academic year, with further sessions planned. For younger children, the annual Safety Event has already engaged over 900 primary pupils, with plans for future expansion.

Councillor Taylor continues: “The Council’s approach combines enforcement, education, and community partnership to prevent ASB and support those at risk. Residents can play a vital role in this effort by reporting incidents directly, enabling faster and more effective interventions.”

To report anti-social behaviour, please use the online reporting system: www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/asb/