Report anti-social behaviour anonymously, say Leicester police
People in Leicester are being urged to report anti-social behaviour to police anonymously, under a new pilot scheme.
Through the scheme, being launched in the Belgrave and Latimer wards, concerned residents will be able to fill out a Community Safety Incident Reporting Form at libraries, sports centres and neighbourhood centres. The forms will then be submitted namelessly.
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The scheme allows concerned residents in Belgrave and Latimer to report anti-social behaviour anonymously
It is hoped the plan, which is the brainchild of Leicester City Council's community safety team, Leicestershire Police, council staff and ward councillors, will encourage people to report anti-social behaviour.
Those behind the pilot anticipate it will enable people to come forward who might otherwise be put off from reporting due to fear of reprisals.
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Information in the forms will be used by the police and council to target areas and address any particular concerns raised. If the scheme is successful, it could be extended to other areas of the city.
Leicester assistant city mayor responsible for community safety, Cllr Sarah Russell, said: "All too often people suffering with antisocial behaviour may know who is responsible but be put off reporting it because of fears over the consequences.
"This form enables people to voice their concerns anonymously, and pass on valuable information to the police and council, who can then investigate and take action if needed.”
Speaking to This is Leciestershire, Ray Rudham, Chair of City and County Neighbourhood Watch Association in Leicestershire, said: “It’s interesting that the police are doing it like that directly, because you have always been able to report anonymously through Crimestoppers.
“But anything that helps to alleviate the problem of anti-social behaviour has got to be good.”
But Mr Rudham also warned: “Anonymity is essential with anti-social behaviour, because you’ve got a high prevalence of fear of retaliation.
“Some people even feel that with reporting anonymously. They feel that if it’s reported, the chances are the perpetrators will work out who has reported it.”
He added: “Often the public complain about anti-social behaviour but they don’t report it, and they blame the police but no one has told them about it. So anything that encourages the public to report anti-social behaviour is a good thing.”
Community Safety Incident Reporting Forms are available from Belgrave library, Surestart, Cossington Street Sports Centre and Belgrave Neighbourhood centre.
They can be filled out and posted at either Belgrave Library, or in a newly-installed letter box at the police office in the nearby Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre.
Comments
by Rajjan
Friday, August 10 2012, 11:26PM
“To get and fill the form in Neighbourhood hood Centres or any other Public place, I think you are asking for trouble. The person who going to hand over you the form She or He know who you are . Unless you can pickup the form from the table take home fill in your own time and post it Police. and also I think City council should sit back and let Police to handle these crimes.”
by Graham_LE8
Friday, August 10 2012, 8:33PM
“@ f007e, I think what le27ld is alluding to is that council taxpayers who live in private (rented or owned) properties will be paying towards the installation and upkeep of a subsidised energy resource that will only be available to business and residential tenants of the council... don't know if that's true, or not - can anyone enlighten us?”
by MusicalK
Friday, August 10 2012, 3:51PM
“wanlip said, 'The fights between Asian/Somali gangs are quite common. But there seems to be white kids joining in now'
Is it helpful to make racial distinctions at this point? I am not trying to be argumentative - maybe you know the issues quite well, so please enlighten us. I think it's very important to stick to facts and real incidents rather than repeating chit-chat.”
by f007e
Friday, August 10 2012, 12:48PM
“le27d, I don't really understand your point. I'm a private house owner, and I get my heat and hot water on tap for a fixed price.”
by DonHenson
Friday, August 10 2012, 6:36AM
“Given the low percentage of genuine fraud reports to the Benefit Fraud Hotline (never more than 5%), I fear the same will happen here. When anonymous, it's easy to make a different kind of nuisance of yourself.”
by wanlip
Friday, August 10 2012, 5:43AM
“This is a good initianive.A problem in Belgrave,as told to me by a police officer,is that the community, if a problem arises, cover their eyes or ears and hope it goes away.
The fights between Asian/Somali gangs are quite common.But there seems to be white kids joining in now.”
by LestaLM
Thursday, August 09 2012, 5:56PM
“So, if someone is alarmed and distressed enough about behaviour that they complete one of these forms then will the reported incident be given a crime number and included in the crime stats ?”
by le27ld
Thursday, August 09 2012, 4:23PM
“by Graham_LE8
"I'd like to report all the disruption caused by the works to install the "District Heating System" please..."
I agree, social housing resident get there heat and hot water "on tap" for a fixed price, where as private house owners who pay council tax get nothing! What an unfair city we live in”
by upthecity
Thursday, August 09 2012, 4:16PM
“report it the more reports the better then something may get done .”
by jonger
Thursday, August 09 2012, 2:26PM
“Surely remaining anonymous is "anti-social" in the widest sense.”