Anti-social behaviour crackdown in Liverpool as week of action launches across the city

Liverpool City Council is working with a range of partners to tackle anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas next week.

The week of action, which runs from 18 – 24 July, aims to raise awareness of the options available to those experiencing issues, tackle some of the challenges and highlight the work being done to improve the situation.

It will target the following areas:

• Picton – Smithdown Road streets (Monday)
• Belle Vale – Naylorsfield area (Tuesday)
• Garston – Window Lane and Harbour Drive area (Wednesday)
• Anfield – Oakfield Road Area (Thursday)
• Yew Tree – Colwell Road and Gainsford Road area (Friday)
• City centre

To support the campaign, Liverpool City Council’s Safer and Stronger Communities Team and partners including Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Registered Providers (housing associations) will be hosting environmental clean-up events, community walkabouts and graffiti clean-ups,

There will also be the opportunity for residents to raise any concerns they have, and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service will also be carrying out home safety checks.

Local residents will also receive leaflets with information about how to report issues and details of the council’s new Landlord Licensing scheme which is being rolled out in the 16 wards with the highest levels of poor quality private rented housing.

Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Cllr Abdul Qadir, said:

“Anti-social behaviour is not low-level crime – it can devastate the lives of victims and communities.

“Along with our partners, we are fully  committed to ensuring individuals feel safe in their communities and neighbourhoods.

“This awareness week is an opportunity for us to highlight some of the issues residents have experienced and the partnership work which is taking place every single day to combat it.

“It is all part of our commitment to driving up standards in our neighbourhoods, making them clean, green and safe.”

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:

“Anti-social behaviour can have a hugely damaging effect for victims, particularly those who are repeatedly and persistently targeted.

“Tackling and preventing ASB is one of my priorities, so I welcome all the fantastic multi-agency initiatives planned by Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police and all our partners during ASB Awareness Week and beyond.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live. I hope this week will highlight some of the great work which is going on across the region day in day out to improve the safety of our neighbourhoods and help people to feel safer and happier in their communities.”

Merseyside Police Chief Superintendent for Local Policing, Zoe Thornton said:

“Anti-social behaviour is a priority for Merseyside Police and this awareness week offers an opportunity to highlight the issues of ASB and the impact it can have on the local communities.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home and community and our activities this week, alongside our partners, will highlight some of the work that we undertake on a daily basis to support our communities and tackle ASB.

Mark Thomas, Area Manager for Prevention at MFRS, said:

“In 2021, our crews were called to 3,223 deliberate secondary fires.  Many of these involved wheelie bins, playground equipment, woodland and rubbish being set alight.

“Some people might think setting fires like this is a bit of harmless fun, but this is arson –  a serious criminal offence that puts people’s lives at risk. What might seem like a laugh with your friends could lead to a criminal record and seriously impact not just your own future, but the future of those around you.

“Deliberate fire setting not only affects people’s ability to enjoy our parks and woodlands but it can also have an effect on wildlife in these areas. Dealing with these types of incident diverts our fire appliances and crews away from other activities such as giving fire safety advice to make the communities of Merseyside safer from the risk of fire.

“If a fire engine is called out to a deliberate fire, this will cause a delay in our emergency response to other potentially life-threatening incidents – we simply can’t be in two places at once.

“All of our Fire Engines carry CCTV and we will work closely with partner agencies including Merseyside Police, to ensure our communities are kept safe from anti-social behaviour and that those responsible are held to account.”