Visiting the dentist can be nerve-wracking at the best of times, but it can be even more traumatic when you have to deal with youths causing ASB in the surgery.
Police were called to a dental surgery in Cinderford in May, after three boys were reported as shouting and swearing at staff, kicking a football at patients inside the premises and refusing to leave.
Two of the boys, who were already known to officers for causing anti-social behaviour in the town, were found nearby and admitted their involvement.
They agreed to write letters of apology to the staff at the dental surgery. Police returned just over a week later to collect the youths to personally deliver the letters and to apologise in person.
Staff at the dental surgery thanked police for the quick response and outcome.
Running all this week (18 to 24 July), ASB Awareness Week 2022 encourages communities to take a stand against ASB. Organised by community safety organisation Resolve, the week is supported by councils, police forces, housing associations, charities, community groups and sports clubs.
Recent YouGov research commissioned by Resolve found that more than half of people (56%) believe that ‘more needs to be done’ to tackle ASB in their community.
However, after they witnessed or experienced ASB, a similar proportion of the public (57%) said that they did not report it to anyone. Incidents can be reported to the council, or to the police if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger.
