Communities in East Lothian are being urged to stand up to antisocial behaviour by reporting it to a dedicated telephone helpline and email address. A call to 0845 601 8518 or email asb@eastlothian.gov.uk is an easy, safe and effective way to tackle antisocial behaviour in the area.

The helpline is run by East Lothian Council working in partnership with Lothian and Borders Police, East Lothian Housing Association, Homes for Life and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.

In order to raise awareness, posters and leaflets have been distributed across the county to Council offices, libraries, Police stations and GP surgeries, and posted to community councils. Advertising will appear in the local press and details of the telephone and email address have been applied to the side of East Lothian Council’s vans to spread the message. Information is also available on the Council’s and partner organisations’ websites.

Cabinet member for Community Services, Cllr Stuart Currie, believes that the posters and advertising will provide a timely reminder: “Unfortunately antisocial behaviour is a potential problem 365 days a year. However, with the darker nights upon us, fireworks still in circulation after bonfire night and the forthcoming Christmas party season offering a greater potential for conflict, we feel it’s an appropriate time to remind people that there is an easy and effective way to report antisocial behaviour in East Lothian.”

In the past three weeks, East Lothian Council has been granted two Interim Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). This has involved working closely with Lothian and Borders Police to gather a dossier of evidence on the alleged perpetrators.

Superintendent Murdo Maciver, East Lothian Area Commander for Lothian and Borders Police, highlighted the importance of communities and agencies working together: "The effective tackling of antisocial behaviour is everyone's responsibility and I am confident that the introduction of a simple reporting mechanism will make a positive impact on reducing this type of behaviour. East Lothian Council, Lothian and Borders Police and our other partnership agencies are totally committed to working together in an effort to address any type of behaviour that has a detrimental effect on our communities."

There are many different types of behaviour that count as antisocial, such as constant loud noise or disturbance from a neighbour; drunken disorder; intimidating or threatening behaviour; violence, vandalism and graffiti. The helpline and email address offer people suffering from antisocial behaviour an easy way to report the problems affecting them, get help and advice, and tackle antisocial behaviour in a safe and effective way.

As well as listening to callers’ concerns and giving them sources of help and advice, the helpline will also ensure that the Council, Police and Housing Associations will have more information on the problems that communities face, and the effect that this behaviour has.

Kenny Black, East Lothian Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Coordinator, commented: “Antisocial behaviour can have a corrosive effect on the lives of individuals and communities. By receiving reports via the helpline or the email address the relevant agencies will be able to target those people or groups that are causing distress to others.”

End

Press release issued: 21 November 2007