‘Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live’

But like all areas, there is a minority whose anti-social behaviour (ASB) causes misery for those on the receiving end.

Summer is when ASB often spikes. Across my patch I’ve been alerted to nuisance neighbours, fly-tipping, vandalism, and a rise in poor behaviour associated with electric bikes.

A report by the charity Resolve ASB, in partnership with the all-party parliamentary group on anti-social behaviour I jointly chair, found almost one in six people experience anti-social behaviour at least once a week.

That’s 1.7 million people every single day, leaving some people frightened even in their own homes, with a terrible impact on their mental health.

And 58 per cent of people say more needs to be done to tackle ASB although 49 per cent don’t report it, with half that cohort believing no action would be taken.

Tackling ASB requires a partnership approach. Because it’s not only a matter for police but councils, housing providers, Neighbourhood Watch and other charities, as well as the broader community.

I note Tory Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer has been seeking residents’ views on ASB with a view to bidding for more funding to tackle this scourge. While I support Mr Dwyer’s ambition, I must point out that Conservative policies have not kept us safe.

Having cut 21,000 police officers nationally under austerity, the Tories only began to rebuild numbers after realising the damage caused. Locally, the commissioner himself reduced the number of PCSOs by 40 last year.

Cuts have consequences.

Because PCSOs, alongside their dedicated police officer colleagues, help stop crime and disorder developing in the first place by providing that visible presence, picking up valuable intelligence and building relationships in the community.

Labour would rebuild neighbourhood policing by recruiting 13,000 new community police officers and PCSOs. We would introduce Respect Orders, allowing police to arrest those engaging in anti-social behaviour, with tougher sentences for offenders.

Tory cuts have also decimated youth services that provide young people with structure and diversion away from ASB. Court backlogs means victims waiting too long to get justice. 

I want the community I represent to be the best place to grow up and grow old. That must include investment in our public services and genuine neighbourhood policing because everyone deserves to feel safe where they live.