January 2004

Guildford dedicates resources to tackle anti-social behaviour

The achievements of a dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Order ‘case builder’ reflects the Safer Guildford Partnership’s latest commitment to increasing public safety in the Borough.

The significant increase in the number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO’s) obtained in the Borough is directly attributable to the Partnership’s ‘case builder,’ Jo Grimshaw.  Jo has been funded by the Partnership and is based at Guildford Police Station. She has already made a significant impact by building cases against troublesome individuals in the Borough, and has secured 3 ASBO’s since starting work in September. 

Her first successful case was that of Steven Barker in Early November, who received an ASBO due to his persistent violence, drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Her second and third ASBO’s were secured last week against Leonard and William Jones who have been terrorising residents of Slyfield Green. 

Previously a Community Safety Warden with Guildford Borough Council, Jo started her role with little enforcement knowledge but her organisational abilities were evident.  Jo also administers Guildford’s Community Incident Action Group (CIAG.) This is a multi agency problem-solving group that discusses the problem people and places affecting the community.  Information is shared at the meeting, helping to identify and limit the activities of people committing crime and disorder. Efforts are always made to divert individuals from their bad behaviour but if this fails an ASBO will be considered.

Paul Yearwood, Safer Guildford Partnership Manager said, “We are determined to deal effectively with those people who persistently engage in criminal and anti-social behaviour. The community want an effective justice system that does this. Anti-Social Behaviour Orders can be one way of achieving this. We found that there was not the capacity or expertise to obtain these Orders quickly enough. Jo’s appointment, funded by the Partnership, means that we can now be much more effective in tackling anti-social behaviour and this will have positive benefits for the community at large and ensure that we continue to receive their support. She has shown how effective the role can be having obtained three ASBO’s in just over three months. She has also warned dozens of others that if they continue behaving the way they have done so they face the same consequences.” 

Jo is currently in the process of building two more ASBO cases, “I am really pleased with the way my role is developing, but information from the CIAG and local residents is really important in the building of cases.  Without their input I wouldn’t be able to build the evidence to get these matters to court.”

For additional information please contact Paul Yearwood, the Safer Guildford Partnership Manager on 01483 444063: