NEWS RELEASES
Addressing anti-social behaviour
23rd November 2006
STEPPED UP efforts are being made by the Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and related partners to reduce reports of anti-social behaviour in Southwater.
Recently there has been a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents in parts of the village, but the Partnership, along with the Southwater Action Team (SWAT), is aiming to stop them.
The Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is a statutory partnership comprising Horsham District Council, West Sussex County Council, Sussex Police, Sussex Police Authority, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and West Sussex Primary Care Trust.
SWAT is made up of representatives from Southwater Parish Council, the youth service, local schools, local residents, local traders, West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council.
Speaking this week, Mike Rumble, Community Safety Manager for the Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, said:
“Anti-social behaviour is behaviour which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people who are not in the same household as the perpetrator.
“The Southwater Action Team makes co-ordinated efforts to prevent and deter anti-social behaviour and to improve the quality of life of people affected.
“In recent months there has been a small upturn in anti-social behaviour which has been magnified for some residents because it has been concentrated in two or three key locations.
“Since this upturn there has been improvements made to the CCTV and increased patrols by the Police.”
Sergeant Andy Burfoot of Sussex Police added:
"Police have received an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour, including criminal damage, in Lintot Square.
“We will be taking positive action against those people who are responsible and are working with our partners and local residents to tackle this."
Partnership projects are taking place which will give young people somewhere to go: a youth club will be open in the New Year and a new skate park is being created in the new extension of Southwater Country Park in Bens Field, off Stakes Lane.
Approval has been given for floodlights to be put up at the sports and social club – giving youngsters somewhere to go and play sports when it gets dark.
Two years ago a consultation was held in Southwater to address the problem of anti-social behaviour and from that many courses of action were agreed.
These included establishing a junior youth club at the leisure centre on Friday nights and bringing the Snack Wagon to the village where youngsters could enjoy some food and company, whilst staying out of trouble, as well as a whole raft of activities for youngsters at school and at the leisure centre.
In addition, CCTV cameras have recently been installed in busy thoroughfares in the village centre and Sussex Police is working with local residents to set up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in the village’s Lintot Square.
A group of 12 young people from the area have previously signed Acceptable Behaviour Contracts issued by Sussex Police, along with their parents, to demonstrate their commitment to not behaving anti-socially. There are no such contracts in place at the moment.
Further information is available from the Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership on 01403 215527 or email: communitysafety@horsham.gov.uk
This news release has been issued by Horsham District Council in partnership with the Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
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CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk