Cllr. Malcolm Cressey, Multi-scheme Administrator, Runnymede NHW
Anti-Social Behaviour and related crime accounts for around 70% of all crime reported across Runnymede. We have around 8,500 crimes reported in total each year, so there are around 6,000 ASB and related crimes in Runnymede each year – but we can be sure unreported incidents make it a much higher number than that. If something could be done about it, it would make a real difference to the well-being of a lot of people in Runnymede …. not to mention taking a lot of pressure off the police!
Anti-social behaviour is harmful and demonstrates a lack consideration for the well-being of others. It has been defined as any type of conduct that violates the basic rights of another person and any behaviour that is disruptive to others in society.
It can have a lasting impact on neighbourhoods and communities, and it can often lead to an increase in other crimes, particularly violence and criminal damage. It should not be tolerated.
What can we all do to reduce anti-social behaviour?
Most of us agree that we have a duty towards our local community. Therefore, if any of us witnesses anti-social behaviour of any kind, we should report it.
The police, like most organisations, do not have limitless resources – and therefore identify ‘hotspots‘ of crime and take focussed action. If we do not report nuisance crimes – probably because we think they are not important – we must think again! If we don’t report them, they are not recorded and not identified as a priority and no action is taken.
Here is a link to the Surrey Police Report a Crime page.
https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
The police tell us on that page that the information we provide plays a huge part in how they plan policing. Reporting the crime online takes only two or three minutes.
Let’s take an example. Most residents in and around Ottershaw know that the area of Brox Road by the shops is a favourite location for loitering and anti-social behaviour. Yet how much of it has been reported? On the whole only 22 cases of potential crime have been reported in the last 12 months. We know that virtually every week of the year on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday there are people loitering in the area making a nuisance of themselves without any regard to others – yet only 14 ASB and related crimes have been reported. So, it is little wonder that the area is not prioritised by the police as a “hotspot”.
Please report any unacceptable behaviour that you see.