Laverstock & Ford Parish Council

Anti-social behaviour and crime in the Parish Council area – 03/05/23

Dear all,

As it is widely known, the issue of anti-social behaviour and crime has increasingly plagued our Parish Council area in general, and Old Sarum in particular. Without being too alarmist, I believe it is worth considering that there is established, long-standing criminological experience that if anti-social behaviour and low-level crime is tolerated over longer periods of time, it often leads to more serious forms of delinquency.

Over the last couple of months we have witnessed such a development ourselves. One of the recent incidents is so serious that it has resulted in Crown Court proceedings (for which I have been called to stand as a witness by the way). Some time ago I suggested to the Parish Council that we need to take a strategic and comprehensive approach to prevent further escalation. What I mean with this is that we need to get all stakeholders on board, i.e. the police, housing associations, local businesses, schools, the Parish Council, and, last but not least, local residents, to discuss joint and coordinated action. As a first step, I have suggested a meeting open to all so as to get everyone around one table for a start.

I do not have a standard recipe how to solve this situation, but I do believe if we all work together, we will be able to significantly improve things. I have also discussed the situation with WLT Councillor Andrew Oliver who is going to speak with WLT Council Chairman Richard Clewer to see if other communities in WLT have any relevant experience which could be of help in our area. In the meantime, the Parish Council currently debates its further approach.

As a first step, the Council has invited WLT Police and Crime Commissioner Phillip Wilkinson to attend the Parish Council session on 15 May 2023. I would like to invite all of you to attend as well and make your voices heard. The meeting will take place on 15 May at 19:00 at the River Bourne Community Farm. The agenda will be posted here in due time: https://laverstockford-pc.gov.uk/meetings/full_council

See you all soon(ish)!

Patrick Sneider
Laverstock & Ford Parish Council