A WEEK to raise awareness about anti-social behaviour has drawn to a close.

To help residents make the right decisions about which agency is best placed to help solve any anti-social behaviour (ASB) problems in their communities, Surrey Police and its partners has been running its Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week which concluded on Friday.

The awareness week aims to ensure Surrey residents know which organisation deals with each type of ASB and what can be done to tackle it so that issues can be quickly resolved.

Superintendent Chris Moon, Surrey Police lead on ASB, said: “Anti-social Behaviour ASB covers a wide range of incidents, from dog fouling and inconsiderate parking to noisy neighbours and vandalism, and is dealt with by a number of different agencies. If ASB is not dealt with quickly and appropriately it can have a significant impact on the day-to-day life of individuals, families and communities."

“However, we know that residents are sometimes unsure what is and isn’t anti-social behaviour (ASB), what self-help options – such as mediation – are available and who problems should be reported to. To address this, Surrey County Council, in conjunction with Surrey Police, borough councils and housing providers, has launched a new ‘one-stop-shop’ ASB information website www.surreycommunitysafety.org.uk”

There have been opportunities for residents to get their questions about ASB answered via Facebook and drop-in sessions. Supt Moon added: “Where ASB issues cannot be resolved by those concerned or by mediation, Surrey Police, Surrey County Council, borough councils and housing providers work closely together to make sure the right solution is found to put a stop to the problem and prevent it recurring."

“Together, We will try to help the perpetrator understand the impact of their actions and discourage further bad behaviour. But, if it continues, we have a range of enforcement options available to resolve the problem, including warning letters, fixed penalty notices, and – for more serious cases – prosecution.”