Anti-social behaviour victims ‘call police 10 times a year’

A total of 23 per cent of callers to South Yorkshire Police about anti-social behaviour are classed as “high frequency repeat and vulnerable victims”, giving the force the highest rate in the country.

The study by the Universities’ Police Science Institute at Cardiff University, analysed the experiences of victims of anti-social behaviour in research designed to help police “tailor” their response.

Based on a survey of more than 9,000 people who called the police over anti-social behaviour during one month in 2011, its authors said one in 10 “vulnerable and repeat victims” claimed they would not contact police about issues in the future.

The report cited the example of Fiona Pilkington, who killed herself and her disabled daughter Francecca Hardwick in 2007 in Leicestershire following 10 years of sustained abuse from youths. Records showed at least 33 recorded incidents between November 1997 and October 2007 when the family had contact with police, who had not classified the family as “vulnerable”.

Author Prof Martin Innes found the risk of harm for victims of anti-social behaviour depended on factors including nature of the abuse and whether it was personally targeted. He said: “We found that victims want to feel listened to, taken seriously, and to know what police action was taken as a result of their call.

“However, because some victims are more vulnerable than others, they do not all share the same ‘starting place’.

“As such police should consider that in some areas and for some victims they need to do more, or start doing things differently.”

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “In the last 12 months South Yorkshire Police has seen 22 per cent reduction in reports of ASB compared to the same period last year, this equates to over 24,000 fewer reports of ASB. We will consider the details of this report and use its findings to continue to reduce the levels and impact of ASB, whilst increasing the protection of vulnerable victims.”