A Freedom of Information request to Bridgend Council has revealed that in the last ten years, there have only been two successful “community triggers” to deal with anti-social behaviour from four requests.
What is a Community Trigger? How does it work?
Community triggers were introduced in EnglandinWales in 2014. They grant people who’ve been victims of, or seen, persistent anti-social behaviour the right to request a review by the police and other relevant local authorities to fix the problem.
The “trigger” is usually three separate reports of anti-social behaviour, or one incident of a hate crime, in the same area within 6 months.
Being kept quiet?
A former resident of Maesteg submitted the FOI request after making South Wales Police aware of anti-social driving/boy racers in the Llynfi Road car park at unsociable hours.
In their own words, after the issue was reported to the police a PCSO asked, “How many times have you seen this happen?” After replying “only once” they were then told, “In that case, it means it never happened.”
However, community triggers are a little known, not-very-well publicised measure that could be used to force a response from the police and local authorities.
While the information about community triggers is available on the Bridgend Council website and Police & Crime Commissioner websites, it’s perhaps understandable why they may be kept quiet as the process seems flawed and excessively bureaucratic.
Are there better ways to deal with it? A question for council candidates in May, perhaps.
