By Cllr Jason Brock
We all know Reading is a fantastic, incredible place, and one we’re very proud to call home.
Our communities are diverse, vibrant and add so much to the rich fabric of the town. Unfortunately, like any urban area, we’re not immune to the issue of anti-social behaviour (ASB).
I know things like motorbike and vehicle nuisance, damage, intimidation and harassment and drug dealing regularly come up as problems on the doorstep. I want to reassure residents that we’re aware of these issues and that we are focused on doing everything we can to clamp down on it.
We need your help to do that.
During last week’s national ASB Awareness Week, we ran a series of events to encourage communities to take a stand against anti-social behaviour and to highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it. We want to empower you to know your rights and how to act upon them.
One aspect we are very keen to promote is what is called the Community Trigger. Also known as a Right To Review, this is a person’s right to ask the Council, police or housing provider to look again at reported cases of anti-social behaviour where the victim considers that no resolution has been found.
It empowers victims to bring agencies together to commit to purposeful action to bring an end to repeated ASB. The agencies will then work together to re-examine the case and support victims to resolve complex issues.
Of course, my sincere hope is that those agencies will resolve things to your satisfaction at the first attempt. But it is important for you to know that if you still aren’t happy, that doesn’t have to be the end of it, and you can ask again.
The Community Trigger is a key component to getting much-needed resolution for residents. Empowering residents is an essential part of our victim-centred approach, so asking for a Right to Review is your opportunity to take control and fight back.
As part of Reading’s Community Safety Partnership, we are urging residents not to suffer in silence if they experience ASB. Incidents can be reported to the Council’s own anti-social behaviour team, or to the Police where people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger.
We know there is always more that can be done to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, and Reading’s Community Safety Partnership will be launching new material and a website over the coming weeks and months to help those affected by it in Reading.
We’re promoting a more victim-centred approach to tackling ASB, and by working together we can take a stand and make Reading a better place to live.
For more information on how you can report ASB, including how to apply for a Community Right To Review, on our website at www.reading.gov.uk/crime-and-safety/reporting-antisocial-behaviour/
Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council and ward member for Southcote
