Tackling alcohol related anti-social behaviour in Ashford, Kent (Kent Constabulary, February 2001)

The ward of Ashford, Kent was identified as a “Target Area” under the Crime and Disorder Act. This ward consists of more than 200 roads, and is a mixture of private and public housing. Analysis of the area identified that more than 30% of the crime suffered within the ward was criminal damage. It was also identified that nearly 25% of all the crime committed in this area was committed in just 3 roads, which were all linked. These three roads consisted of social housing (flats and houses) and most importantly an “estate square” which housed local shops and youth club, and was a natural meeting place. The location was a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.

Having identified the geographical area, an intelligence collection plan was set up to uncover the connectivity between the events occurring there, and the people involved. This led to the hypothesis that,

• Cheap, bootlegged alcohol was being sold on the Estate to young people, who were getting drunk, meeting in the square, and causing anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.

Further exploration of the hypothesis, using multi-agency data established,

• the name and address of the main supplier of the bootlegged booze (on the estate)

• that he was selling from his home address

• that he was travelling to the continent once a week to buy the alcohol

• the vehicles he was using

• that he had been running a café in a nearby town

• that he was claiming benefit.

In relation to the individuals causing the problems within the Square, further information/intelligence gathering identified,

• 4 of the main offenders were being supplied with the bootlegged alcohol by the above individual

• They lived in social housing around the area

• They were committing criminal offences

• Their behaviour was sufficient to consider an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Using this information, Customs, Police and the Benefits Agency mounted a joint operation on the illicit supplier. He was arrested and has been charged with benefit fraud, subsequent bail conditions curtailed his ability to import alcohol, and he has stopped trading in illicit alcohol.

The 4 youths have been subjected to criminal proceedings. The Housing Authorities and Police have engaged their parents and underlined their responsibilities under the Housing Act.

The outcome in this targeted approach has been a reduction in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the area identified within Ashford ward.

Click here to return to Case Studies