Local people asked to be part of the solution for tackling anti-social behaviour

Surrey Police, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council officers and YMCA East Surrey youth workers working in the area feature in the campaign and invite local people to join them in calling out ASB. The campaign also helps people to recognise the different types of problem behaviour and understand how they can report it easily to the Police, the Council or, anonymously to Crimestoppers.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council says: “Although Surrey is one of the safest counties in England and the crime rate in Reigate & Banstead is lower than the Surrey average, we don’t want to be complacent. We want to tackle the types of problem behaviour that can make people less likely to come and enjoy all the great things Redhill has to offer.

“The Safer Redhill partnership relies on us all working together to make lasting changes and this campaign asks local people, businesses and visitors to join us in calling out antisocial behaviour - whether that’s by reporting any incidents they see or sharing our messages on social media and with their friends and family.

“As part of a package of proactive measures, which includes youth outreach work by the YMCA, improved lighting and CCTV, as well as targeted police activity, we believe this campaign can make a real difference in helping people feel safer too.”

Borough Commander, Inspector Jon Vale, adds: “We want to encourage more people to report antisocial behaviour to give us an even better understanding of the issues that people encounter. We have been analysing local crime data and listening to local people’s concerns to target increased police activity in identified hotspot areas, but we want to continue to improve our response. So don’t leave it to others to report; let us know if someone’s behaviour is causing you harassment, distress or alarm.”

Developed by the partnership and funded through the governments’ Safer Streets fund, the campaign was originally trialled over the summer holidays and reached potentially 1.25 million digital accounts. From October, anyone visiting the town centre can see the campaign on banners, posters and digi screens across the town centre, as well as through social media and digital advertising and find out more on the landing page – www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/safer-redhill.

The Safer Redhill partnership received £265k from the government’s Safer Streets Fund last autumn and more recently Surrey Police was awarded £1m ‘hotspot’ funding from the Home Office, secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. This ‘hotspot’ funding will allow the police to maintain enhanced uniformed patrols in the town, as well as support from plain clothed officers, to deter crime and take strong enforcement action where needed.

Over the last 12 months, Safer Redhill has brought together businesses and community organisations, as well as the YMCA, Surrey Police, the borough council and other public sector partners to understand and improve community safety in the local area. The campaign to report ASB builds on the recent work of the partnership, which has included activity from the Police to target criminal behaviour, the launch of the YMCA’s new Y Bus and regular youth outreach sessions and additional lighting in Memorial Park.

The partnership is also keen for people to take pride their town centre and Andy Nash, Chair of the Redhill Business Guild and manager of the Belfry Shopping Centre says: “We’re proud of our town centre and want local people to feel welcome and able to enjoy coming here at any time of day. By working together through the campaign the community will be sending a clear message that antisocial behaviour and shoplifting isn’t welcome here.

“I believe we’re already seeing a difference. The fantastic work of the YMCA with their Y bus and the success of recent police enforcement operations shows real progress in addressing the both the causes and effects of anti-social behaviour and crime.