ARE you impacted by anti-social behaviour in your community?
This national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, is sharing information on how to get support.
Anti-social behaviour is one of the issues most frequently raised with the Commissioner by Surrey’s residents through consultations, surgeries and the Policing Your Community events.
As a result, one of the key priorities in Lisa’s refreshed Police and Crime Plan, which launched this year, is strengthening safe and resilient communities.
Over the coming years, she has committed to working with Surrey Police and partners to find effective, lasting solutions that create conditions for communities to thrive, and that allow residents to feel listened to and supported.
Reports of anti-social behaviour taking place during the summer have almost halved since 2018, when 6,770 reports were made. In 2024, 3,789 reports of anti-social behaviour were made to police.
Help is available
The issue remains a priority for Surrey Police. In the past few months, Lisa has joined officers on patrol in Guildford, where funding secured by her office has led to a significant reduction in youth-related anti-social behaviour on Sundays.
In Redhill, similar funding secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has led to a drop in a range of offences impacting the community, including retail crime.
Partnership work in the town has seen additional solar lighting set up at Memorial Park, while a shelter that had become a site for anti-social behaviour was removed, and new benches installed instead.
Meanwhile, Lisa has launched the Community Safety and Prevention Board, which is designed to bring partners from across the county together to close loopholes in the support offered to Surrey’s residents.
In addition, a range of measures are available for those impacted by anti-social behaviour.
Commissioner’s funding
The Commissioner’s office funds Mediation Surrey, which aims to resolve neighbourhood issues through discussion.
Those who feel failed after repeatedly reporting anti-social behaviour can turn to the ASB Case Review, which draws together key partners to review their actions.
More news on how Surrey Police is tackling anti-social behaviour will be announced this week.
The Commissioner said: “Surrey is already one of the safest places to live in the country.
“But we know anti-social behaviour can have an outsize impact that can seriously affect residents’ lives.
“Protected, supported, heard”
“Issues like anti-social behaviour require a targeted response from a range of agencies. Policing alone cannot solve the harms caused or prevent it from happening in the first place.
“That’s why we’re dedicated to working with partners to create safe communities where residents are protected, supported, and heard.”
To learn more about how to access support or report an issue, visit healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/asb
What is anti-social behaviour?
| Anti-social behaviour covers a huge range of behaviours, including: | There are also some things that, while annoying, do not count as anti-social behaviour, which might include: |
| Antisocial driving/speeding | DIY or off-road car repairs (unless late at night or early in the morning) |
| Nuisance noise | Everyday living noises such as loud conversations, doors opening and closing, and lawnmowers in use |
| Drug use or drug dealing | One-off occasional events such as birthday parties, barbecues, or other celebrations |
| Dog fouling | Lawful use of fireworks |
| Fly-tipping | Property boundary disputes |
| Graffiti | Lifestyle differences, such as cooking odours or putting rubbish out on the wrong day |
| Littering | Children playing in or around their own home, in the street, or in the park, and not causing damage, being abusive, or being excessively noisy |