Action on antisocial behaviour and illegal traveller sites demanded (2024)
One of Somerset's newly-elected MPs has urged the police to take action on antisocial behaviour and illegal traveller encampments across his constituency. Ashley Fox was elected the Conservative MP for Bridgwater at the general election held on July 4, seeing off a close challenge from Labour candidate and Somerset Council division member Leigh Redman.
Both before and during the election campaign, Mr Fox promised to take action on crime and antisocial behaviour in Bridgwater town centre, as well as tackling illegal traveller encampments in Burnham-on-Sea. To this end, Mr Fox recently met with superintendent Lisa Simpson, Avon and Somerset Constabulary's area commander for Somerset, to discuss these pressing issues.
Mr Fox said: "I emphasised to superintendent Simpson that the anti-social behaviour in our town centres must be addressed urgently. Businesses are suffering, and the sense of safety that our residents and visitors once enjoyed is deteriorating. We need decisive action to make our streets safe and to support our local economy."
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On top of the police's ongoing efforts, Somerset Council has been attempting to dissuade antisocial behaviour in Bridgwater town centre by employing town wardens as part of the Bridgwater town deal, which is funded by central government.
Ms Simpson said: "Antisocial behaviour is unacceptable and we welcome the positive relationships we have with partners and community leaders to help keep Somerset a safe place to live. We have pro-actively taken action in Bridgwater working alongside the town council, youth justice service, housing associations and charities with that purpose in mind.
"This includes funding weekly youth activity sessions in the town to divert juveniles from antisocial behaviour and crime. Other action includes the issuing of community protection warnings, criminal behaviour orders and civil injunctions.
"Anyone who breaches can expect to be dealt with robustly. For example, a man in his thirties from Bridgwater was jailed in May for eight months for breaches of his injunction, including theft from a shop and leaving drug paraphernalia outside shop doors."
Mr Fox also used his meeting with Ms Simpson to discuss the "anxiety and uncertainty" generated by illegal traveller encampments, especially those in Burnham-on-Sea and in neighbouring settlements near the Somerset coast.
He said: "Illegal encampments are causing significant distress and concern among residents. I support the police in taking swift and robust action to remove these encampments.
"The affected communities deserve a prompt and effective response. Effective collaboration is key to resolving these issues. Authorities must work together to implement strategies that will instil order and security to our towns and communities."
Somerset Council has been attempting to tackle a shortfall of traveller pitches within the former Sedgemoor area - with the western part of the former district loosely making up the newly-created Bridgwater constituency.
Numerous applications for new traveller pitches have been given planning permission over the last 18 months - including four pitches on Cossington Lane near Woolavington (approved in December 2023), a further two pitches on the A39 Puriton Hill (in May 2024), retrospective permission for three pitches on Batch Road in Puriton (in late-June), and most recently two pitches on Vole Road in Brent Knoll (in July).
Ms Simpson said: "We are aware also of community concern relating to some unauthorised encampments in various parts of Somerset. While trespass is a civil offence, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act does set out circumstances in which police can seek to remove unauthorised encampments. Where appropriate we will seek to take positive action in conjunction with the relevant landowner and investigate any criminality that occurs.
"We'd encourage anyone who experiences any issues relating to antisocial behaviour, or other matters, to please report it to us. That information is vital and regularly used to help make key decisions around responding to and preventing criminality."
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Antisocial behavior may be overt, involving aggressive actions against siblings, peers, parents, teachers, or other adults, such as verbal abuse, bullying and hitting; or covert, involving aggressive actions against property, such as theft, vandalism, and fire-setting.
Organisations that play a role in tackling anti-social behaviour include: Church-based or faith groups, providing activities for young people. Neighbourhood watch, keeping an eye on what's happening in the local area.
Personal antisocial behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group. Nuisance antisocial behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community. Environmental antisocial behaviour is when a person's actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.
Antisocial behaviour includes criminal and non-criminal behaviour. This could be: threatening, harassing or unruly behaviour such as drunkenness and loitering in public spaces. drug use – and the mess and disruption that can go with it.
It's likely shaped by inherited genes as well as life situations and experiences. The exact cause of antisocial personality disorder isn't known, but: Genes may make you vulnerable to developing antisocial personality disorder — and life situations, especially neglect and abuse, may trigger its development.
A person with antisocial personality disorder may: exploit, manipulate or violate the rights of others. lack concern, regret or remorse about other people's distress. behave irresponsibly and show disregard for normal social behaviour.
ASB has been linked to personal harm including avoidance behaviours, changed routines and an impact on quality of life[footnote4]. Other implications of ASB include negative mental health, such as living in fear and increased stress and anxiety, leading to experiences of panic attacks and depression.
Antisocial personality disorder can be difficult to treat. Typically, individuals with this condition don't seek treatment on their own. Behavioral treatments, such as those that reward appropriate behavior and have negative consequences for negative behavior, may work in some people.
If you are a tenant or a leaseholder of a social housing landlord, then contact your landlord to report the issues. If you are in private rented accommodation or a homeowner, you can contact your local authority who have dedicated personnel who deal with anti-social behaviour.
Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, is sometimes used to treat antisocial personality disorder. Therapy may include, for example, anger and violence management, treatment for problems with alcohol or drugs, and treatment for other mental health conditions.
Despite the symptoms of antisocial personality disorder, you can still receive and give love, tame your vices, and build meaningful connections with others.
There are different types of anti-social activities. The criminal or restricted activities like murder, theft, kidnapping, robbery, cheating, and trickery are called blue collar crimes.
Antisocial behaviours, sometimes called dissocial behaviours, are actions which are considered to violate the rights of or otherwise harm others by committing crime or nuisance, such as stealing and physical attack or noncriminal behaviours such as lying and manipulation.
Social behavior characterizes the interactions that occur among individuals. These can be aggressive, mutualistic, cooperative, altruistic, and parental.
What are some examples of antisocial behavior? Antisocial behaviors may include severe bullying and aggression towards others, lying and theft, vandalism, use of violence and threats, and substance or alcohol abuse.
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