Huge rise in reports of anti-social behaviour in St Helens

Reports of ASB actually fell in 2019-20, with 4,196 reports compared to 4,470 the previous year.

While there has been a reduction in most crimes in St Helens in recent months, ASB and cyber crime have both seen a sharp rise.

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Between March 23 to July 4, Merseyside Police received 2,200 reports of ASB in St Helens, compared to 1,216 during the same period the previous year.

This is an increase of 81 per cent.

The police figures were presented to the People’s Board this week as part of a report detailing key actions undertaken in relation to community safety during the pandemic.

Cllr Jeanie Bell, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said that while any rise is a concern, it needs to be set against the context of lockdown, “with a change in the nature of ASB being reported”.

The report says that during the initial lockdown period, both the council and police reported that most calls reporting ASB were related to the lockdown.

Some of reports responded to during this period include neighbour disputes and reports of non-adherence to COVID-19 regulations.

Over recent weeks, several ‘hotspot’ locations have emerged where residents have reported issues relating to breaches of COVID-19 regulations.

Mainly, the report says, these areas have been open spaces where large groups of people have been congregating.

Over several weekends in May, police were called to the cricket field at Ruskin Drive after reports of people gathering in open space.

And at the beginning of June, officers made four arrests after storming an illegal rave on private land between Rainford, the M58 and Kirkby.

The report says the partnership has worked to co-ordinate a response to these issues, ensuring resources were allocated to the highest priority sites.

Prior to the lockdown period, the council would receive on average 30 ASB complaints per month.

From April onwards, this has grown to more than 50 complaints per month.

“As the regulations have eased, the nature of the anti-social behaviour reported to the partnership has changed, with more recent reporting focusing on larger gatherings and alcohol related issues,” the report says.

“In addition to this, in line with a growing national issue, the area has also experienced illegal music related gatherings including an illegal rave on the border of the borough.

“In response to this, co-ordinated communications have been developed across all platforms reminding people of the risks of attendance at such events and a joint learning meeting has taken place with our neighbouring community safety leads.”

During the lockdown period, reports of cyber crime has also seen a significant rise.

Cyber crime has also risen during the lockdown

Between March 23 to July 4, there were 267 reports of cyber crime, up from 193 report during the same period last year, a rise of 38 per cent.

The police also saw 1,123 reports of domestic abuse in St Helens, compared to 959 reports in 2019.

This is a rise of 17 per cent, and is much lower than has been reported nationally.

Cllr Bell said this was a particular concern as the partnership did not know whether there would be a surge as lockdown restrictions ease.

Services are now preparing for that expected increase.

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Cllr Bell said: “I think it’s fair to say it’s been a really challenging period for us and the work undertaken together as a community safety partnership to respond effectively to these challenges has demonstrated our commitment to making the borough a safer place.

“We know that this crisis is not over, and this winter may be a particularly challenging period too, but this report highlights that when the need arises we can really work together effectively, captured by the underlying principles of St Helens Together.”