Rise in antisocial behaviour halted, say police (From Salisbury Journal)

Rise in antisocial behaviour halted, say police

10:03am Monday 14th January 2013 in News By Elizabeth Kemble

SALISBURY Police Inspector Andy Noble has said the rise in antisocial behaviour at Bemerton Heath is “coming to an end” following the arrest of nine people.

The offences, in the Gainsborough Close area, ranged from damage to property and use of abusive language, and reached its peak in November.

Speaking at a Salisbury Area Board meeting on Thursday, Insp Noble told councillors officers from neighbourhood policing teams had assisted with extra patrols on the estate, and that work such as reducing hedge heights had been done by Wiltshire Council to improve sight lines.

He said: “There has been the temporary deployment of cameras in hotspots and additional security measures put into place to communal doors of flats, a particular issue for a number of residents for years.

“There are also going to be regular community meetings, which will be published, and I’ll be providing updates on plans at future area board meetings.”

Insp Noble said the overall crime figures for Salisbury and the surrounding area remained “fairly stable” for 2012 when compared to 2011.

A total of 2,836 offences occurred last year, a reduction of 256 crimes.

Burglary is down 30 per cent to 284 cases but violence against the person is up 12 per cent to 553, most of these occurring between family members in the home.

Criminal damage and incidents of antisocial behaviour are also down, the former by 12 per cent to 640 cases and the latter by 17 per cent to 1,892 incidents.

And while car crime was down by 36 offences compared to 288 incidents in 2011, Insp Noble warned car owners there had been a recent upturn, and urged all car owners not to leave valuables on display.

The crime detection rate remains under a third at 29 percent but has increased by five per cent on the previous year.