PEEL spotlight report on anti-social behaviour published

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has today published a PEEL spotlight report on the policing response to anti-social behaviour. The report makes recommendations to forces that are to be in place by 30 September 2025.

These recommendations include:

• making sure personnel are appropriately trained to identify and record ASB and associated crime when they are first reported
• giving all neighbourhood policing teams ASB training that makes best use of the College's ASB guidance and resources

Everyone in policing recognises the detrimental effect of antisocial behaviour (ASB) on individuals and communities. We therefore welcome this report and are determined the College will continue to play a leading part in improving the police response to this issue.

It is encouraging the report highlights some good examples of problem-solving approaches which are already part of our practice bank. We will continue to work closely with forces, and further develop our toolkit of resources to better assist neighbourhood officers tackle anti-social behaviour.

Last month we announced plans for our dedicated training for officers and staff in neighbourhood policing teams to be rolled out across England and Wales in 2024-25. This contains a dedicated module on tackling ASB to develop skills and knowledge in this area and help build public trust and confidence.

The College of Policing is also the What Works Centre for Crime Reduction. This means the College turns the most effective approaches into best practice through our operational policing guidance, so forces can access evidence-based research on more effective crime reduction techniques.

We will continue to urge all forces to make these resources available to staff so they can better understand what works and use the most appropriate measures when tackling ASB.

Policing Standards Manager, Superintendent Andy Sidebotham

• Read the policing response to anti-social behaviour: PEEL spotlight report

Resources for tackling anti-social behaviour

Our resources and guidance for police officers and staff for tackling anti-social behaviour in their communities includes:

• our anti-social behaviour toolkit which includes the legislative powers police can use to address general and specific types of ASB, with evidence-based approaches and interventions
• operational policing authorised professional practice (APP) to support policing to provide consistency and a better service for the public
• the What Works Centre for Crime Reduction, where we collect and share research evidence on crime reduction and support its use in practice
• the practice bank where you can find and share practice with organisations who are interested in crime reduction and criminal justice