Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, has welcomed the start of a national Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week which will be marked by a host of activity in the Thames Valley.

Running from Monday 18 – Sunday 24 November, ASB Awareness Week aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.

To mark the start of the week, Matthew visited Alternatives to Conflict (previously known as Mediation Bucks) in High Wycombe to find out how they are supporting communities to tackle ASB through their new mediation service. You can find out more about Matthew’s visit by watching a short video:

In July, Matthew Barber announced £60,000 of funding for Alternatives to Conflict to provide a Thames Valley-wide mediation service over the next 3 years. The service, which is open to referrals from a range of partners who deal with ASB cases, provides an independent mediation support service and can offer a solution when there is no clear course of action open to a statutory agency. It also represents an alternative to court proceedings and intervention by statutory agencies.

Matthew Barber said: “To mark the start of ASB Awareness Week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Alternatives to Conflict team to find out how the mediation service that I have commissioned will provide support to communities across Thames Valley who are facing issues of anti-social behaviour.

“ASB is often one of the biggest concerns our communities will face and, although it doesn’t often have a direct victim, it can cause significant harm and distress. Mediation services provide an important tool in attempting to resolve neighbour and community disputes before they escalate.

“The introduction of a Thames Valley-wide mediation service will support our ongoing partnership work and help alleviate some of the community issues our frontline policing teams come into contact with.”

Superintendent John Batty said: “This week of action will really help to highlight the brilliant work being done across the force to combat anti-social behaviour.

“We understand the significant impact that anti-social behaviour can have on individuals and the community. We are focused on working with our partners and communities to create a hostile environment for those who commit anti-social behaviour.

“Mediation is another initiative that will help to reduce anti-social behaviour across the Thames Valley, alongside the intervention work undertaken by the Neighbourhood Policing teams.”

Anthea Beeks, CEO for Alternatives to Conflict, said: “Unwanted and anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. The funding we have received ensures that we can help people move forward from conflict and provide the service across the Thames Valley”

Last week, Matthew provided a keynote speech at the Alternatives to Conflict AGM in Aylesbury which brought partner agencies together to discuss ASB and highlight the work taking place through the Thames Valley Mediation Service.

Thames Valley Police will be hosting a series of engagement activity this week, in-line with the daily awareness week themes, including visits to care homes and youth clubs to discuss the impact of ASB as well as patrols taking place in ASB hotspots.

For further details on mediation and the services available, please visit the Alternatives to Conflict website.