Council commits to Anti-Social Behaviour Pledge

Date: 

Wednesday, 21 July, 2021

As part of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week (Monday 19 to Sunday 25 July 2021), Woking Borough Council has signed up to the Anti-Social Behaviour Pledge, committing to support all those experiencing anti-social behaviour in a consistent and dedicated manner.

The pledge is led by national victim’s charity, ASB Help, which actively promotes the rights of people experiencing all forms of anti-social behaviour.

A key part of the pledge is to continue to encourage the use of community triggers, a legal tool which empowers victims of persistent anti-social behaviour to request a formal multi-agency case review.

In signing the Anti-Social Behaviour Pledge, Woking Borough Council has committed to:

  • Promote awareness: actively encourage the use of community triggers to residents and partner agencies.
  • Legality: confirm the organisation is legally compliant and embracing the spirit of community triggers.
  • Ensure accessibility: publicise community triggers so the most vulnerable know what it is and how to invoke it.
  • Develop process: embrace the full potential of community triggers by continually reviewing and learning from best practice.
  • Generate inclusivity: use community trigger review meetings to work collaboratively and strategically, formulating solutions to end anti-social behaviour.
  • Establish a precedent of using community triggers to put victims first and deter perpetrators.

Cllr Debbie Harlow, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said: “Woking is generally a very safe place to live, with 84 per cent of residents indicating they felt safe in a recent resident satisfaction survey.

“However, we can all be affected by incidents of abusive, violent or threatening behaviour.

“By signing the Anti-social Behaviour Pledge, we believe it sends a clear message that we are committed to supporting local people and creating safer communities for residents.

“Working alongside partner agencies, such as Surrey Police, we continue to help improve the quality of people's lives by tackling anti-social behaviour."

A community trigger can be invoked by any resident or group of residents in the borough who are suffering from what they believe is anti-social behaviour.

Fiind out more about community triggers, including how to apply.  

For more information, including how to report instances of anti-social behaviour.

Further information around anti-social behaviour and independent advice can be obtained directly from ASB Help.