Council unveils new anti-social behaviour strategy

Jan 21 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

NEW steps to curb anti-social behaviour have been unveiled.

The new strategy, drawn up by West Lothian Council and community planning partners including the police, aims to reduce instances of anti-social behaviour and the numbers of people who are involved as victims and offenders.

Prevention, early intervention, enforcement and rehabilitation are the key factors in the new scheme and residents are being invited by the council to give their views.

Councillor Jim Dickson, chair of the Community Safety Forum, said: “All of West Lothian’s community planning partners have been involved in developing the strategy and we would now like to get West Lothian’s communities involved.

“Feedback is vital and will be taken very seriously.

“We would like your feedback to this summary document and/or the full strategy document by February 28, 2010.

“You can participate by downloading the survey from the council’s website www.westlothian.gov.uk and returning it to: Julie Bird, West Lothian Council, West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6FF. Or, email Julie.bird@westlothian.gov.uk with the word ‘survey’ in the subject field and we will return the survey link to you.”

The anti-social behaviour strategy aims to encourage civic responsibility and prevent anti-social behaviour in all communities.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy includes:

Prevention: reducing irresponsible drinking by adults; efforts to reduce under age drinking and youth work;

Early Intervention: a rapid response to litter, graffiti, fly tipping and abandoned vehicles; identifying young people at risk of getting involved in anti-social behaviour and working with them to address their behaviour;

Enforcement: This is mainly the responsibility of the Police, the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, the Environmental Wardens and Environmental Health team;

Rehabilitation: The council’s Criminal Justice and Youth Justice Teams will work with offenders to prevent them from becoming repeat offenders.

Councillor Dickson added: “We recognise that a lot of anti-social behaviour is not reported to the police or the council and we are keen to encourage residents to report all instances of anti-social behaviour.

“People can do this by contacting West Lothian Council on 0800 801 331 or Lothian and Borders Police on 01506 431200.”

Results of the community consultation will be published later in the summer.

The full strategy can be accessed online at www.westlothian.gov.uk