An 18-month campaign has driven down anti-social behaviour (ASB) at weekends in Guildford through extra police patrols, partnership working and adverts during the Six Nations.
A £273,000 grant secured from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has led to significant successes in the Surrey town.
Youth-based ASB at weekends has dropped dramatically thanks to increased visibility of Surrey Police officers on Sundays and a series of initiatives – including ads played during rugby matches and joint work with Guildford Borough Council, Experience Guildford and local businesses, such as fast-food outlets and shops.
Crime in the town’s ASB hotspots has reduced and an improved police presence has meant greater reassurance for people who visit Guildford.
Statistics gathered from Sunday-focused ASB operations show the number of recorded violent crime and public order offences, related to weekend youth anti-social behaviour and crime, have dropped by over 75% in the past 18 months.
The funding has boosted police officer and street marshal patrols within the town centre and visits to local business, including offering reminders to vape shop owners of their responsibilities to young customers.
Youth engagement remains an ongoing commitment to help break down barriers with young people. While plain-clothed behavioural detection officers patrol stores looking for signs of suspicious behaviour, alerting uniformed colleagues to potential crime.
Dispersal orders have been utilised within the town centre, meaning those causing trouble or behaving in a rowdy, inconsiderate way could be asked to leave the area, and arrested if they return within 48 hours.
A media campaign warning that ASB is not welcome in Guildford has also been screened on ITV, in the Friary Centre and at transport hubs, including the train station and bus stops. The campaign has been viewed more than 10 million times on Snapchat, targeting teenage audiences.
The Safer Streets Fund will not continue into this financial year, but the Commissioner Lisa Townsend said the Force’s determination to deal with offenders has not changed. There will continue to be a visible police officer presence in Guildford at weekends.
“I know that ASB, criminal damage and substance misuse are key concerns for residents and businesses in Guildford,” the Commissioner said. “Through the Safer Streets Fund, we have acted.
“Across Surrey, we have seen the difference that funding – properly directed by those with real local knowledge – can make to our communities.
“While my office submitted the proposal for Safer Streets, it has been a real team effort, and I’d like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make such a success of this initiative. I am very proud to see how, creatively, this funding has been used to make such an impact in Surrey.”
Guildford Borough Commander, Inspector Blaine Rafferty said: “The Guildford Safer Streets project has seen us work closely with local partners and businesses over the past 18 months. New measures have been rolled out to help tackle ASB in the town centre and the feedback we have received so far is that people who visit Guildford feel safe and reassured seeing uniformed officers out and about.
“We don’t want to discourage young people from coming into Guildford, but it’s important that we communicate the level of acceptable behaviour that is expected.
“Tackling issues like ASB and retail crime remain ongoing priorities for us, and having officers patrolling the streets means we’re here and ready to address any issues as they arise. I’m delighted that our partnership work has made an impact in helping to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all, and the Home Office funding has been vital in allowing us to make improvements.”
Lead Councillor for Regulatory and Democratic Services, Councillor Merel Rehorst-Smith added: “Funding from the Safer Streets initiative allowed us to increase resources in Guildford town centre at weekends to address a growing trend in ASB by young people.
“In partnership with the police, town centre marshals offered a reassuring visible presence as well as engaging with those acting in an anti-social manner. The project coincided with a review of the town centre Public Spaces Protection Order, designed to communicate that those behaviours are not acceptable in Guildford. It’s important to us that Guildford town centre is a pleasant place to live, work and do business.”
Pete Lambert, Town Safety and Venue Liaison Manager at Experience Guildford, commented: “We have been extremely proud to support the partnership work that has taken place since this project started through Guildford Safer Streets funding. “There has been a great response to tackling ASB concerns in Guildford town centre and the results are clear to see, with confidence from the business community being restored.”