Anti-Social Behaviour

As many you are aware, the Liberal Democrats have been running a residents' survey over the last couple of months across North West Hampshire. One of the regular complaints is over the lack of police visibility and anti-social behaviour. There has been much comment recently on the decline of police effectiveness despite an increase in numbers. In 2021 police only charged a suspect in 6.6% of robberies and 4.2% of thefts. These are not figures to be proud of. Most of this was due to basic errors in investigative techniques, such as not reviewing CCTV evidence before dropping a case. Many victims feel let down and the bars for prosecution appear high.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Tory Donna Jones, is arguing for an increase in tax to pay for more police. The need is caused by cuts from central government, and the funding formula which benefits urban as opposed to rural areas. I am not against in principle. I supported a rise last time round, but whilst it takes years before a police officer becomes fully effective, I have been disappointed by the results. The responsibility for dealing with anti-social behaviour also sits with the Council, either Test Valley or Basingstoke and eane. This a vastly under-resourced area, through political choice. Tories talk tough on crime but when it comes to the crunch you are often left on your own.

Social housing providers, such as Aster, also have an important role. If tenants plague their neighbours with criminal and anti-social behaviour, they should be evicted. For example, too often Andover is used as a dumping ground. Instead, we have the situation where ordinary law abiding residents do not feel safe. Simple things could help, like house inspections. One former councillor pointed out to me that Aster should inspect their property every five years, but in her 20 years of residence that has not happened once.