CLOSE working between police and the community in Banham has led to a fall in anti-social behaviour at a village hot-spot.Anti-social behaviour in and around the community centre was agreed as a local policing priority by the Attleborough Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) after it was raised as an issue by local residents.

CLOSE working between police and the community in Banham has led to a fall in anti-social behaviour at a village hot-spot.

Anti-social behaviour in and around the community centre was agreed as a local policing priority by the Attleborough Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) after it was

raised as an issue by local residents.

In the past few weeks the team has worked closely with the parish council and community centre committee to jointly target those responsible and deter any further problems.

The range of work carried out included:

Identification of the main offenders, warnings issued and discussions with their parents.

Five statutory warnings issued to drivers causing anti-social behaviour in the

area - with the prospect

of having their vehicles confiscated and crushed.

The provision of a crime reduction survey at the community centre by the SNT, offering recommendations

to help reduce crime in the area.

One person, identified as being responsible for criminal damage to the committee centre fence, met committee vice-chairman Ray Snow to discuss the issue and, as a result, has agreed to repair the damage. In addition, his vehicle was seized by the

SNT.

SNT Sgt Jon Papworth hopes this example of instant restorative justice will empower other people in the community to work with police to take action.

“The cumulative effect of

the different acts of

anti-social behaviour at the community centre was affecting those living nearby and costing the committee,” he said.

“By working in partnership with their local police team, residents have achieved a rapid improvement and can take some pride in their positive actions.”

Mr Snow said the regular police patrols and other action had led to a noticeable reduction in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the past few

weeks.

“We're a small committee and have a small budget and every bit of damage costs us money. The children need

to realise it's their own

facility they are damaging,” he said.

“I met with the local lad

and he took responsibility

for what he'd done and I

was happy with that. I just hope other children will

look up to him and do the same.”

As well as anti-social behaviour at Banham, the team is also targeting its resources to tackle anti-social behaviour at Attleborough recreation ground and children causing anti-social behaviour at the village hall, Meadowside and the play park in Blo' Norton.

To contact Attleborough Safer Neighbourhood Team call them on 0845 456 4567 or visit their web page at www.safernorfolk.co.uk