THE rise in the number of anti-social behaviour (ASB) reports last year is ‘likely to have been exacerbated’ by Covid-19, according to a report.

A report on the management of ASB in Warrington will come before the council’s building stronger communities policy committee at its meeting next Wednesday.

The purpose of it is to advise members of the council’s obligations under the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the arrangements in place within the town to meet these obligations.

The role of the community safety and resilience team (CSRT) related to ASB is to ensure that the council meets its statutory obligations working alongside Cheshire Police and wider community safety partners.

The report says the CSRT ensures that due consideration is given to utilising the powers available to the council, as appropriate and proportionate, under a range of legislation, the primary one being the ASB Crime and Policing Act 2014 for the management of ASB.

It also states there has been a ‘marked increase’ in the number of ASB reports being received by CSRT, which excludes noise complaints.

Between April 2020 and October 2020, there were 193 ASB complaints when compared to 87 for the same period in 2019.

While, for this period in 2021, there are currently 176 complaints.

The report says: “The rise in 2020 is likely to have been exacerbated by Covid, due to an increased presence within the home and potentially a contributory factor being a lower tolerance level among neighbours due to the pressures of the Government lockdowns.

“Since 2018, a systemic review of the council and partnership processes to manage ASB has been ongoing and has influenced a significant amount of work to ensure the council is sighted on all activities related to early indicators or clear cases of ASB and that from a community safety perspective CSRT are involved.

“Every case of ASB is unique and therefore different tools and powers may be used and applied to each case as relevant.

“Addressing ASB may involve verbal discussions/advisory letters, offers of mediation (particularly where there are neighbour disputes), acceptable behaviour contracts or the use of legal powers such as injunctions, criminal behaviour orders (via police) and community protection warnings/notices (CPWs and CPNs).”

The committee is recommended to note the arrangements in place to manage ASB.