In a pan-Bedfordshire conference held recently at The Rufus Centre, Flitwick, as well as streamed online, agencies came together putting the focus on victims.

Bedfordshire Police receives an average of 1,200 reports of ASB incidents each month, with the local authorities receiving additional information directly. Some of these victims are vulnerable or deemed to be high risk, and the cases can be complex. Guest speakers came from across the country to share their expertise and experience about what ASB means for victims. As practioners in their field, they shared real examples of the impact ASB has on people’s lives and how organisations can better understand the needs of those affected by it.

Bedfordshire Police’s Community Policing Chief Inspector Jamie Langwith said: “The conference allows us to have a pan-Bedfordshire approach to tackling ASB and put the victim at the heart of everything. Local agencies from Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford, along with partners such as housing, came together to help tackle ASB from all angles and take forward as a collective how we can address the ASB problems we know affect lots of people within our communities. We want the people of Bedfordshire to enjoy and feel safe in the public spaces in our county and we must together deal with those who persistently offend, coming up with longer-term solutions and focus on giving the victim back a voice.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Festus Akinbusoye said: “It was an honour to attend the ASB conference. ASB is linked to many other crime types and can lead to suicide of victims. It is also one of the most commonly reported incidents to the police.  As PCC, it is one of my priority areas and I am committed to working with the force, local authorities, Community Policing teams and the communities themselves to ensure the voice of the public is heard and that residents are involved in our plans.”

Anyone with information about ASB in their area can report online at www.bedfordshire.police.uk/report or call 101.