Inspector James Martin provides an update on efforts to tackle youth ASB in Lancaster city centre:
“Following the introduction of Operation Brassica, the Local policing teams response to Youth Anti-Social behaviour in Lancaster Town Centre, in March, I wanted to update the BID members with regards the results.
The Town Centre experiences Youth Anti-Social Behaviour, due mainly to its nature and location, but what was experienced in the early part of 2022 was not acceptable. The Local Policing Team diverted a number of resources to this issue, not only in Lancaster but also Morecambe Town Centre.
We focused our efforts on identification of those involved and worked on post-incident follow up with schools and guardians.
We also focused on putting staff in the locations at hotspot times and increasing our contact with premises that were most vulnerable to Youth Anti-social behaviour.
In my view, I believe this has had an impact and we are recording less Youth Anti-Social Behaviour and we have seen decreasing levels since the start of the year.
The figures below are generalised and include ALL anti-social behaviour, which includes the Night-time and Day-time economy Anti-social behaviour, as well as that committed by young people.
Highlights:
The Lancaster Town Centre area has historically remained top of the list for Anti-social behaviour in the Lancaster and Morecambe areas for many months and annually remains the highest area for recorded Anti-social behaviour.
This was the case in the first quarter of 2022. Within the second quarter of 2022, this has changed and is no longer the top recorded area for Anti-social behaviour. Around this time, I would have expect to see an ASB increase due to lighter nights and warmer weather. This has not occurred which is a result that should be welcomed.
YTD – ASB for Lancaster Town. Police recorded 164 Nuisance ASB calls. (where 1st April to 1st July, n = 107)
January = 45, February = 62, March = 56, April = 34, May = 40 and June = 31
The main streets and locations for recorded ASB:
Cheapside = 48 calls
Penny Street = 14 calls
Market Street/Square = 25 calls.
The Team are now looking to evolve the operational deployments with regards Youth ASB to include daytime/early evening street drinking issues in Market Square and surrounding streets. Sgt Rebecca Mitchell and Sgt Richard Tredennick have been given this issue to review and we have moved in from Morecambe, PC Matt Betts as the Community Beat manager for Lancaster City Centre, to tackle this issue using a variety of problem-solving means.
The Local Policing Team will continue to focus attention on the Town Centre as with the Summer Holidays approaching the area remains vulnerable to acts of Anti-social behaviour.
The team remain committed to supporting all people who live, work and socialise in the City Centre and if anyone has any concerns, issues or points of view then I am happy to discuss further via BID.”
