The Attleborough Safer Neighbourhood Team is a dedicated team allocated to tackle anti-social behaviour issues – those issues which can have a detrimental effect on the quality of life for the local community, be it in a busy town or small village.

The main aim of SNT is to listen to residents to find out what concerns them the most – this may be, graffiti, noisy neighbours or other forms of anti-social behaviour and to then act to resolve those issues.

We hold an eight weekly Community Action Group (CAG) Meeting at Attleborough Town Hall. This form of “community engagement” involves SNT partners - Breckland District Council, Attleborough Town Council, Parish Councils, Fire Service, Home Watch and Peddars Way amongst others – meeting with members of the community to listen to community concerns. This is not a “police” meeting. . The community will decide the three priorities which the SNT agencies will work to resolve during the following 8-week period. At the following CAG, we will feedback what we have done at the following meeting.

In terms of successes the SNT has had so far, these include:

1. A Designated Public Place has been created in Attleborough town centre to control alcohol-related anti-social behaviour. This has been backed up with joint visits from Trading Standards to licensed premises. Officers have already had success in enforcing the area and preventing trouble.
2. Arranging several well attended SNAP dances for young people to enjoy a disco in a safe environment – everyone is searched prior to entry to prevent cigarettes/alcohol or drugs being taken in.
3. Working with Breckland District Council to target anti-social motorists – by sending a joint letter to the owner - where other legislation cannot be used - which is designed to be backed up with possible action under the Anti-social Behaviour Act. This is being used to target in particular the Queens Square area of the town where this has been a persistent problem.
4. The alleyway between College Court flats and M&Co in Attleborough is being worked on to tidy the area up and prevent anti-social behaviour. So far the sub-station has been cleaned out and had anti-climbing spinners added to prevent youths from climbing over and the car park bays are going to be repainted for the residents. This is an ongoing project.
5. Reducing HGV use of inappropriate roads through Great Ellingham.
6. Anti-social behaviour centred on the green in East Harling through under-age drinking.
The current three priorities set at the CAG are shown on the website www.safernorfolk.co.uk

Our next CAG meeting will be held at Attleborough Town Hall on Thursday 29th May at 7.30pm.

I appreciate it may not be possible for people from the rural communities in the Parishes to attend the meetings, but I encourage anyone with any issues or concerns about anti-social behaviour to please contact us on SNTattleborough@norfolk.pnn.police.uk or on the non-emergency number 0845 456 4567.