A council in a town blighted by antisocial behaviour is going to hire a dedicated officer to help tackle the problem despite one member calling it a “bad deal”.
Penzance Town Council voted on Monday night (February 12) to jointly fund, with Cornwall Council, a new Penzance-based antisocial behaviour officer (ASBO) for a period of 12 months. The new post will be based in the soon-to-be-opened town centre hub.
The ASB caseworkers play a key role in dealing with prolific offenders who typically end up having criminal behaviour orders (CBO) issued against them to discourage re-offending and encourage engagement with the Addaction charity for drug and/or alcohol addiction.
Failure to comply with CBOs quickly leads to imprisonment.
With the new post based in Penzance town centre, overlooking a known trouble spot, responsiveness is expected to be greatly improved.
Latest reports from Safer Cornwall show that Penzance town centre has the highest rate of antisocial behaviour in Cornwall, above Newquay and Camborne.
During the past 12 months there have been 1,073 reported incidents of antisocial behaviour in Penzance.
Penzance councillor Nigel Pengelly said: “The antisocial behaviour issue in Penzance is real and enduring. People have a right to enjoy the town centre and other public spaces free from the fear of harassment and intimidation. We are not going to see a return to historic levels of policing on our streets in the short to medium term so it is necessary to consider alternatives.”
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A proposal for a town warden was turned down last summer, as some members of the council felt it was not value for money and that a town warden would have little powers and be isolated.
An antisocial behaviour officer (ASBO) has a key role in managing prolific ASB offenders and the town council heard that Penzance is a magnet for prolific offenders.
ASBOs help compile court papers and attend hearings at which criminal behaviour orders are issued. These orders encourage offenders with addictions to seek treatment and prohibit certain actions on threat of imprisonment. ASBOs also conduct patrols.
A council spokesman said that with record low numbers of police, these low-level prolific offenders would too often go unchallenged but for the activities of ASBOs. The number of prolific offenders currently exceeds the capacity of the current ASBO staff in west Cornwall.
The meeting heard that the cost to Penzance Town Council for a year is £18,000. There was a majority vote in favour.
Speaking against the motion, Councillor Dennis Axford questioned the cost of the post and how quickly the position could be filled.
He said: “This is a bad deal for Penzance.”
Deputy mayor Nicole Broadhurst said: “I’m all for a safer Penzance, but I feel that this is a way of getting a warden, that we said we didn’t want, through the back door and I think that’s wrong.
“I think it’s a terrible idea that we should be taking money to take on a statutory duty.”
Councillor Nigel Davis said: “Here is an opportunity to push things forward and show we care. We need to show the town we are proactive and that we are doing something.”
Mr Pengelly added: “Three hundred people came to a public meeting concerned with antisocial behaviour; people expected action to be taken. It is time for us to stop passing the buck and accept responsibility.
“For all the people speaking against this proposal, I don’t hear any solutions. All I hear is negativity. Our role is to enhance and protect the town. This is our chance to do this.”
