What the police can do

Some issues can be resolved easily through low level intervention and it may be a case of simply explaining the consequences of someone's actions on other people's quality of life.

However, for on going issues there is an increased use of a ‘tiered' or gradual approach to tackling anti-social behaviour. This will start at the advice letter stage and end up at the anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) stage if the alleged behaviour does not cease. This gives those involved a clear indication the type of punishment they can expect should they not curtail their behaviour.

We cannot police the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in isolation and will always look to involve our partners in tackling issues.

There are a number of things we can do in order to tackle anti-social behaviour such as:

• Issue fixed penalty notices to people committing a range of anti-social activities; e.g. making false 999 calls, throwing fireworks or buying alcohol for under-18s.
• Arrest those responsible if there is evidence that a crime has been committed.
• Target problem areas and individuals at specific times and locations.
• Make public areas that are hotspots for anti-social behaviour ‘designated areas'. This means that if two or more people gather in these areas they may be asked to leave by a police officer or face being arrested if they refuse.
• Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are often used to provide uniformed patrols to deter anti-social behaviour.
• The use of acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) with perpetrators. To increase their effectiveness we always try and involve our key partners in drawing them up so as to ensure both enforcement and support is offered.
• Send warning letters to parents of perpetrators.