PCC and partners unveil refreshed ASB campaign urging rural communities: ‘Don’t Suffer in Silence’

A high-profile campaign is being relaunched to empower rural communities to stand up to anti-social behaviour (ASB) and get the support they need.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has refreshed her ‘Don’t Suffer in Silence’ campaign to raise awareness of how to report ASB across rural areas of Durham and Darlington.

A recent PCC survey found too many (40%) residents and businesses still choose not to report ASB, often believing nothing will change by coming forward.

Joy Allen said she knew that ASB can be deeply distressing, especially in isolated rural areas, and urged residents not to suffer in silence, stressing that support is available.

The campaign, which includes targeted social media and advertisements, will build on the momentum from ASB Awareness Week (June 29 to July 5).

Designed to grab attention, it directs people to the PCC’s website, where they can quickly find support and report issues to the right agency, whether that is the police, council, or housing provider, while also reducing inappropriate calls.

The refresh follows feedback from rural communities highlighting confusion around reporting issues such as fly-tipping and hare coursing.

Tackling rural crime remains a key priority in the PCC’s Police, Crime and Justice Plan, with continued investment in prevention, targeting those at risk of committing ASB to stop harm before it happens.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “In my latest rural crime survey, 59% of respondents told me they had been a victim of rural crime.  They have experienced ASB, theft, crop damage and a host of other crimes. Yet too many people still aren’t reporting it, either because they don’t know how, or don’t think it will make a difference. That must change.

“‘Don’t Suffer in Silence’ has already reached thousands of people, making it quicker and easier to report problems to the right agency. Now we’re making sure rural communities know help is available and close at hand.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe, no matter where they live. ASB and rural crime cause huge distress, harm businesses and damage communities, and we will not tolerate it.

“We’ve built a strong, award-winning partnership response to ASB across the force area, with clear processes to take action and support victims. But we need people to keep reporting so we can fully understand the problem and deliver real solutions.”

More information on where and how to report ASB can be found on the PCC’s website https://www.durham-pcc.gov.uk/reporting-asb.

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Picture Shows (L-R):  PC Robert Booth, Andrea Patterson (ASB Victims Champion), PC Bethany Ridley and Steven Bell (Community Safety Coordinator)