Surrey Police and local partners on a mission to tackle ASB in Guildford

Partners in Guildford have been working together to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB), so that everyone who visits the town centre can enjoy it - with a particular focus on the weekends.

Antisocial behaviour can range from harassment and rowdy, inconsiderate behaviour to noise nuisance and criminal damage. A survey conducted within the local community confirmed there were concerns with ASB in Guildford. Key findings highlighted that ASB is most likely to occur at the weekends between the hours of 12noon and 8pm, and that large groups of people acting antisocially caused the most concern.  

To tackle the issue of ASB, Guildford’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, Guildford Borough Council and Experience Guildford have joined forces with Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, who secured the funding as part of the Safer Streets initiative. This is a Home Office-led scheme that targets specific crime issues within local areas, with the aim of reducing offending.   

In August last year, funding totalling £273,000 was granted. This has since been used to fund street marshals, who patrol ASB hot spots within the town centre at weekends during the peak hours of ASB offending. It has also been used to help boost youth engagement via youth worker groups within the Guildford area, to address any ASB related to young people.  

There has been an increase in officer visibility within the town centre, with more patrols taking place during certain times. Partners, including Surrey Police, have also been working closely with business premises, with many businesses funding and implementing their own measures to support this project and help in tackling ASB.   
  

A multi-agency operation involving Guildford’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, Guildford Borough Council, Experience Guildford, British Transport Police, The Friary and local businesses has already kickstarted within the town on certain Sundays, to identify the causes of ASB and to prevent it.   

As part of our ongoing communications campaign to combat ASB in Guildford, we have newly designed digital posters displayed around town, at the train station, bus stops and on buses. A social media campaign is underway to target both young people and their parents to highlight that ASB is not welcome anywhere in Guildford.   

Guildford Borough Commander Blaine Rafferty said: “We’ve been working closely with local partners to introduce these new measures to help tackle antisocial behaviour in Guildford. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our town centre and feel safe. This funding has allowed us to put our focus on ASB hotspots in town, and areas where the wider community has raised concerns.  

“ASB is a priority for us. We have plain-clothed officers supporting uniformed colleagues in Guildford identifying any nuisance, inconsiderate behaviour or criminal activity. They will be operating in the town centre on a regular basis to help Guildford be a safe environment for all.”  

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend said: “I am really pleased that our Office has played a key part in securing the funding for this project in Guildford, that will address the concerns of local residents around issues including theft, criminal damage and substance misuse in their town centre.   

“As well as preventing crime, I am proud that the work with local partners will also boost the engagement with children and young people that is a core part of keeping our communities safe for everyone.”   

Lead Councillor for Regulatory Services, Councillor Merel Rehorst-Smith said: “I’m delighted with the summer campaign targeting antisocial behaviour. It’s so important that we all respect one another and collectively stand up and say 'no' to behaviour that is unacceptable in our town.   

"By working together, we can all help make sure our town continues to be a great place to live, work and do business.  A town to be proud of, where everyone feels welcome, can be authentic and feel valued.”  

Pete Lambert, Town Safety and Venue Liaison Manager at Experience Guildford said: “We fully endorse this campaign to help reduce ASB in Guildford town centre through strong partnership working with Surrey Police, Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner and Guildford Borough Council."