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<p>The Government is committed to tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour (ASB).
We know the serious impact that persistent ASB can have on both individuals and the
wider community. Last year the <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1015382/Crime-plan-v10.pdf"
target="_blank"><em>Beating Crime Plan</em></a> laid out the Government’s plan for
tackling crime and ASB and committed to working with local agencies and partners to
drive down ASB using the full range of powers and tools in the<em> ‘2014 Act’</em>.</p><p>The
Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides a range of flexible tools
and powers to local agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour. Local areas decide how
best to deploy these powers depending on the specific circumstances. The Office for
National Statistics annually publishes anti-social behaviour incidents reported to
the police by Police Force Area and no further lower level breakdown is currently
available.</p><p>Police recorded ASB incidents for West Midlands were on a steady
decline pre-Covid-19 with a 40% fall in 2019-20 when compared to 2016-17. The overall
number of ASB incidents in England & Wales also fell (24%) pre-Covid-19 but to
a lesser degree than in West Midlands. The year to March 2022 reports a drop in ASB
incidents for both England & Wales (-6%) and West Midlands (-17%) when compared
to the 2019-20 (pre-Covid-19) period.</p><p>Home Office statutory guidance, which
was updated this year, supports local areas to make effective use of these powers,
setting out the importance of focusing on the needs of the victim and the local community,
as well as ensuring that the relevant legal tests are met.</p><p>The Home Office announced
in March that ASB would be one of the primary crime and issue types being targeted
in the next rounds of the Safer Streets Fund. We announced the outcome of Round Four
of the Safer Streets Fund in July, investing £50 million to support 111 projects across
England and Wales, aimed at increasing the safety of public spaces for all with a
particular focus on addressing neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and tackling
violence against women and girls.</p>
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