GMP focus on tackling anti-social behaviour during awareness week

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has kicked off a focus on anti-social behaviour (ASB) across Greater Manchester during ASB Awareness Week.

Anti-social behaviour comes in many forms and during the week of action, which is running from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 July, GMP is encouraging its communities to help tackle ASB through increasing people’s understanding of what ASB is, the impact it has on people’s lives, and highlighting the options available to those facing it.

Together with partners, GMP is working to ensure everyone feels safe within their communities and has the confidence to report ASB in their area. Residents will see patrols across hotspot areas of concern, from green spaces to the transport network.

These patrols will form part of GMP's ongoing SummerSafe operation as the summer holidays start, but also following on from Covid-19 restrictions being removed and the calendar of events coming up within Greater Manchester.

Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Policing, Crime and Fire, Bev Hughes, said: “We are strongly supporting ASB Awareness Week in Greater Manchester, raising the profile of the impacts of anti-social behaviour and reinforcing our message that behaviour of this kind will not be tolerated. People unfortunately don’t always think about the consequences of their actions, which can have long-lasting impacts on others, as well as on their own futures.

“Victims of anti-social behaviour can be impacted more than we think due to the mindless actions of others - with people often experiencing anxiety, with their work and relationships being affected, and often feeling unsafe and afraid to leave their homes.

“Please do think before you act, and also think of others.”

Andrew Riley, GMP's Problem Solving and Neighbourhoods Lead Chief Inspector, added: "As a force we are keenly aware of the impact that ASB has on our communities.

"Our officers have been working hard across ASB Awareness Week and will continue to over the coming weeks, to engage with our communities and local partners to put effective solutions in place to address anti-social behaviour, especially in cases of repeat victimisation and where people are vulnerable.

"The vast majority of people are considerate and law-abiding members of the public, so it’s important that the individuals, who disrupt our communities, cannot be allowed to affect so many people’s lives.

"Communities should be safe and reassuring places for everyone, so I want to assure the public that GMP and our partners are dedicated to tackling this kind of behaviour, as we understand it can have a lasting impact on neighbourhoods.

"We know that when left unchecked, ASB can have an overwhelming and devastating impact on victims, and therefore it is really important that any offences are reported to the police so that we can act on it at the earliest possible opportunity."

If you are concerned about yourself or a member of your community who may be suffering from anti-social behaviour then please report it to GMP via LiveChat on their website or via the dedicated link on their website.

Always call 999 in an emergency.