New online tool to make reporting anti-social behaviour easier

A new way of reporting anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Gloucestershire has been introduced online.

Gloucestershire Constabulary has launched a new online tool that will make it easier for victims of ASB to report incidents.

ASB covers a variety of unacceptable activity, such as vandalism, graffiti, nuisance neighbours and intimidating behaviour. Anti-social behaviour can ruin lives and create an environment where more serious crime can take hold.

The local authority, the police and social landlords all have strong and effective powers to deal with anti-social behaviour problems.

However, feedback from the public has shown that people are not always sure where to report their concerns, and so Gloucestershire Constabulary is launching its new online reporting form to help get people the help they need as soon as possible.

You can access it here: Report antisocial behaviour | Gloucestershire Constabulary

The new tool launched yesterday, Tuesday 26 September, to make it easier for the public to make a report. Using the website, they will be able to provide full details about their situation, including repeat incidents, and will ensure the report is directed to the most appropriate agency.

It will also mean that residents will not have to wait on 101 to report a non-urgent incident to the police, who may not be best placed to deal with it.

Inspector Dan Nutland said: "We want to ensure that our communities are free of anti-social behaviour and that people feel safe wherever they live, work or play. When anyone raises a concern, we want them to know that we care about them and can offer them the right support from the right people.

"Our new service will sit alongside the existing methods of reporting anti-social behaviour. This will allow the right people to take the right action at the right time, helping to bring peace back to people's lives."

Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said: "I am really pleased to see the introduction of this new way of reporting anti-social behaviour. Reporting online will often be very much quicker than using our 101 service, which is over loaded with rising demand. We know that many ASB incidents are never reported, for all sorts of reasons, but ease of reporting should no longer be one of them!

"Over the last few months we have added an automatic answering service to our 101 line, plus a useful Call Back feature. With this new ASB portal, we are creating a modern Digital Police Station to enhance our face-to-face services, making it easier for the public to report crime and seek assistance on a whole range of issues.

"With the addition of more call handlers over the next few months, all these new resources will significantly improve our 101 service."