The Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley welcomed the start of anti-social behaviour awareness week with a visit to a mediation charity.
Commissioner Matthew Barber demonstrated his support of the awareness week amid a rise in instances of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Oxfordshire.
He visited Alternatives to Conflict in High Wycombe to mark the start of the week, which runs from November 18 to 24 and aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB as well as highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.
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Mr Barber said: “To mark the start of ASB Awareness Week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Alternatives to Conflict team to find out how the mediation service that I have commissioned will provide support to communities across Thames Valley who are facing issues of anti-social behaviour.
“ASB is often one of the biggest concerns our communities will face and, although it doesn’t often have a direct victim, it can cause significant harm and distress.
“Mediation services provide an important tool in attempting to resolve neighbour and community disputes before they escalate.
“The introduction of a Thames Valley-wide mediation service will support our ongoing partnership work and help alleviate some of the community issues our frontline policing teams come into contact with.”
The service provides an independent support service and offers solutions and alternative interventions when there’s no clear course of action available to a government body or court.
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Anthea Beeks, CEO for Alternatives to Conflict, said: “Unwanted and anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.
“The funding we have received ensures that we can help people move forward from conflict and provide the service across the Thames Valley.”
🚨 To mark the start of @resolveasb #ASBAwarenessWeek, @matthew_barber visited Alternatives to Conflict (formerly known as @MediationBucks) to see how the Thames Valley ASB mediation service is #MakingCommunitiesSafer.
— Thames Valley OPCC (@TV_PCC) November 18, 2024
Find out more ➡️ https://t.co/mPei4x05gj pic.twitter.com/9Ep29BgtOi
Superintendent John Batty of Thames Valley police said he hopes the awareness week will highlight the “brilliant work” being done to combat ASB.
He said: “We understand the significant impact that anti-social behaviour can have on individuals and the community.
“We are focused on working with our partners and communities to create a hostile environment for those who commit anti-social behaviour.”
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The force will be hosting a series of engagement activities throughout the week in connection to the daily awareness themes, including visits to care homes and youth clubs to discuss the impact of ASB.
Patrols will also take place in ASB “hotspots” across the region.
More details on mediation services are available on the Alternatives to Conflict website.
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