New Pan-Merseyside Anti-social Behaviour Partnership Launched

New Pan-Merseyside Anti-social Behaviour Partnership Launched

Merseyside Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner are proud to announce the launch of the Merseyside Anti-social Behaviour Partnership, a pan-Merseyside partnership uniting more than 20 key organisations, including Housing Associations, local councils and charities to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the region.

For the first time, partners from across the community safety field have formally committed to coordinating their approach, using the full range of cross-agency tools and powers to protect victims, strengthen communities, and prevent offending.

Regular data sharing, increased transparency, and stronger accountability form the foundation of this new partnership model.

By combining powers, the partners aim to intervene earlier, protect victims more effectively, and take firm action against those who repeatedly cause harm in communities.

Working together, the public can expect to see an increase in Closure Orders, Dispersal Orders, Public Space Protection Orders, Community Protection Warnings and Criminal Behaviour Orders - all of which need multi-agency working to be achieved, and are powerful tools in dealing with anti-social behaviour.

Speaking outside of a property recently closed due to complaints of anti-social behaviour, Karl Baldwin, Chief Superintendent, chair of the partnership, said feedback from the public, and a recognition that more needs to be done, was the inspiration for the new partnership: "People have told us how anti-social behaviour really impacts their lives, and how at times, they're not sure who to turn to. We know that the causes of anti-social behaviour are complex, and that it takes the right agency, at the right time, with the right approach to stop it - but throughout the golden thread is agencies coordinating their efforts, sharing information and tackling the problem together. When the public asks 'who is responsible for dealing with anti-social behaviour', we are striving for the answer to be 'we all are: together'.

"Merseyside Police has recently published its full Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan, so everyone can see exactly what we're committed to doing. The plan makes it clear, that for people to get the best outcome, the right agency, with the right resources and tools needs to step in - but always supported by partners.'

"The perception that, because there are no blue lights after a report of anti-social behaviour, the police are treating it like a minor incident, is something we're working hard to change. Every one of those reports is evidence for when we take one of these orders to court. It's not minor to you, it's not minor to us.

"Our goal, as The Merseyside Anti-social Behaviour Partnership, is more transparency. We want to give the public access to more information about the work happening behind the scenes; I'd encourage people to visit the website and look at what we're doing and what we're committed to."

Overall, anti-social behaviour in Merseyside has fallen across the last year, but some areas experience significant seasonal increases, and require additional diversionary investment and police and council powers to tackle. The Merseyside Anti-social Behaviour Partnership will meet in full on a quarterly basis, with partners working together to strategically target those issues.

Regional meetings to tackle anti-social behaviour at a neighbourhood level are hosted weekly by Merseyside Police.