The Community Forum took place on Monday 26th July at the MTLC.

The Forum was split into two sections. The first was consultation on the ‘Anti-Social Behaviour Perceptions Action Plan’ and the second was the Cluster Group meetings to discuss Partnership issues.

Jane Hill, Neighbourhood Safety Team Manager gave a presentation on the Action Plan and a facilitated workshop followed with members discussing 3 questions regarding perceptions and why they are so high, joint working between agencies and community and celebrating successes.

The consultation ended with feedback, which was generally correlated as follows, in Q&A format:

Q1a) What are your perceptions of anti-social behaviour within your Cluster Area?

A. Perceptions differ in different wards and perceptions seems higher in areas of deprivation. General perceptions are fly tipping, broken glass, damage to property, burglary, street drinking by all age groups, drug taking, nuisance bikes and intimidating behaviour, mainly perceived as coming from groups of young people hanging around the streets.

Q1b) According to national statistics, the perceptions of anti-social behaviour are high within Middlesbrough. Why do you think this is?

A. The general consensus was that the media gives out negative messages and doesn’t print enough good news stories.

Television programmes often show the area in a bad light and residents also ‘talk the local area down’, thus possibly exaggerating problems.

There is not enough feedback given to the local community regarding successes of reducing anti-social behaviour, hence residents may feel that not a lot is being done in their areas even when it is.

There is perhaps too much reliance on statistics, which can be misleading.

Q2) How can Community Councils and the Neighbourhood Safety Team assist each other to reduce the perceptions of anti-social behaviour in their area, for example, improved communication and regular feedback?

A. The Cluster Groups agreed that there needs to be improved communication and feedback through regular Community Council newsletters, Middlesbrough News and Community Council meetings. Regular feedback to the community from the Police and Neighbourhood Safety Team is essential.

Q3) How do you feel Community Councils could assist the relevant agencies and their local community with promoting services and celebrating successes within Middlesbrough?

A. Improve education in schools, newsletters to churches, businesses and community centres. More effective use should be made of Middlesbrough News and other forms of media and positive stories should be highlighted more.

Residents need to be made aware and be appreciative of all the positive work that has been done and continues to be done to reduce/prevent anti-social behaviour within Middlesbrough. Successes need to be celebrated more.