Anti Social Behaviour Down By 30%

Incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Essex have dropped by 31.3% in the past year, with 8,562 fewer offences recorded.

Community policing teams across the county have been working closely with councils and local partners to combat issues including nuisance vehicles, street drinking, disruptive and intimidating behaviour, and the reckless riding of bikes and e-scooters.

There were 18,771 ASB offences recorded in the year to the end of May 2023. This compares to 27,333 ASB offences over the same period 12 months earlier. In the same timeframe in 2017-18, there were 49,444 ASB incidents recorded. The most recent figures represent a 62% drop from this level.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet, who is also the NPCC lead for anti-social behaviour, said:

“From high streets to seafronts, transport hubs to parks and local housing estates – ASB is not something we should see as ‘low level’ or acceptable. It is not, it ruins lives and blights communities.

“The public should continue reporting incidents to us. Policing is one part of the solution but where it is not a policing matter, we will work with local authorities and other agencies to effectively combat ASB and the underlying causes.” Learn more about ASB and how to report it: www.essex.police.uk/advice/ advice-and-information/asb/ asb/antisocial-behaviour