Task force to tackle anti-social behaviour across North Yorkshire (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Task force to tackle anti-social behaviour across North Yorkshire

3:38pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Mark Foster

THE battle against anti-social behavior in England’s largest county is being stepped up with the tolling out of a special task force.

Headed by North Yorkshire’s assistant chief constable Iain Spittal, it will work with partners to focus on vulnerable people and priority areas.

The move comes as the county’s police and crime commissioner, Julia Mulligan, marks 100 days in office and is designed to put victims at the heart of services.

The team’s first job will be to assess and identify what more can be done to help resolve residents’ concerns about the issue.

Once that is completed, the task force will develop action plans with partners in areas where there are anti-social behaviour problems, and where there are “unacceptable” levels of harm.

Mrs Mulligan said: “The public have told me that anti-social behaviour is at the top of their list of priorities, and I know the team has the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives, and particularly victims.”

ACC Spittal added: “Throughout the task force process the needs of the victims of the anti social behaviour will be central.

“The victims will be invited to engage directly with the task force to ensure that its members clearly understand, first hand, how it feels to be in their shoes.”

*North Yorkshire’s long wait for a new chief constable should be over by the middle of next month The job advertisement was placed today, March 6, and a selection process will take place on April 16.

An appointment was expected last month but the police commissioner decided to re-advertise the post to widen the pool of candidates.