At heart County Durham is a beautiful place to live with many interesting and unique qualities. However over the past year over 20,000 counts of anti-social behaviour have been recorded and over 35,000 counts of violence and sexual offences. With an overall crime rate of 97 crimes per 1000 people.

 

People all over the county from many different backgrounds have been disheartened by the obvious growth in anti social behaviour, Valarie Lowe (80) stated that “i don't feel safe popping out for a walk or nipping to the corner shop” this coming after a terrifying encounter she had with an “awful group of young lads” who verbally abused her and stole her handbag as she was walking near her home. She explained this event left her “shaken” and that she “hasn’t left the house in nearly a month” purely out of fear of a repeat incident.

 

This is just one of many cases of violent crime reported within County Durham, and unfortunately will not be the last. But what is the local council doing to prevent this?

 

In some areas with large numbers of reports neighbourhood wardens have been imposed, attempting to promote social inclusion, specifically towards young people. While also stopping environmental related crimes such as graffiti and flytipping. As well as this an “outdoor play code” was implemented which promotes children playing in parks rather than on the streets.

 

However these simply aren't enough to solve the issue, wardens can't be on the watch 24/7 and the play code cant be fully enforced. So what is to be done?

 

In Plymouth, which was stated as the statistically safest city in the uk, cracked down on anti social behaviour with the introduction of increased CCTV, Public Protection Service Orders (reducing drunken aggression) as well as having increased victim support, a student union and neighbourhood watch groups dedicated to eradicating the issues. The overall crime rate per 100 decreased from 33 per 100 in 2020, to 17 per 100 in 2022, proving that increased measures and victim support does in fact work.

 

While these factors work for Plymouth, there is no definitive answer to how we can reduce Crime Rates in our local area, but the first step towards progress is accepting there is an issue, and addressing it. So if you or anyone you know is aware of any anti-social behaviour in your local area be sure to report it to Durham Police Case Review to do your bit in making our beautiful county a safe one!