Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week 2023
Wirral Council is joining community safety partners across the borough in a week-long national awareness campaign about how anti-social behaviour (ASB) is addressed in Wirral.
Running until July 9th, Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week 2023 aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.
Wirral’s Community Safety Service, including Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team, will be standing alongside officers from Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and local social housing providers on a range of initiatives across Wirral this week to highlight the implications of ASB and encourage residents to report incidents wherever and whenever they see them.
Activities this week include visits to a couple of local primary schools and a bike security marking programme at West Kirby Concourse.
There is also a focus on the role of the council’s Emergency Control Centre in helping to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and a reminder of the introduction of new Emergency Help Points in hotspots across Wirral.
In total, 28 Emergency Help Points have been installed throughout the borough in town centres, coastal areas and close to other places where people are likely to gather or visit.
At each help point there is a direct, two-way audio connection with the council’s Emergency Control Centre that people can use if they find themselves in difficulty or danger. The help points are backed up by CCTV surveillance cameras so control room officers can immediately monitor the situation and alert emergency services if necessary.
The idea behind the installation of the help points is to improve community safety and provide public reassurance. It is hoped their presence will reduce the risk of violent crime and violence against women and girls. The Emergency Help Points are clearly identifiable by distinctive yellow signage directing people to the audio connection.
Cllr Helen Cameron, Chair of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee for Wirral Council, said:
These help points provide a lifeline for anyone who might find themselves in difficulty or feeling threatened on our streets for whatever reason. Linking directly to the emergency control centre, an officer there can talk to them directly, provide reassurance and arrange for them to be assisted by emergency services or other partner agencies if necessary.
There will be a variety of activities and high-profile operations taking place during the rest of the week involving community safety partners to demonstrate the kind of action that happens in Wirral – and around the country – to address anti-social behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour can be reported online: www.wirral.gov.uk/asb. Individuals can also call the council’s contact centre on 0151 606 2020 or email 'neighbour.nuisance@wirral.gov.uk’. Call lines are open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Tenants of a social housing provider should contact them directly.
All instances of anti-social behaviour should also be reported to Merseyside Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
