Anti-social behaviour in Okehampton is on the rise, West Devon borough councillors have heard.

A report by South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership (CSP), debated by West Devon Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee, shows referrals into the anti-social behaviour (ASB) process have increased by a third since last year.

The spike is said to revolve around a series of incidents by one small group of young people in Okehampton.

In the 13-month period from September 1 2020 to September 30 2021 there were 29 referrals into the ASB escalation process; an increase of 33 per cent on the same period the year before. 

Of these referrals, 24 came from the police, two direct from individuals and three from partner agencies.

In 14 cases letters were sent to the perpetrator or parent/guardian outlining that the conduct is unacceptable; an increase of 180 per cent.

Eight second-stage letters warning of possible further action were issued. As a result, a police neighbourhood team and youth intervention officer worked with the youth offending team.

The number of ’acceptable behaviour contracts’ has doubled compared to the same period last year.

An acceptable behaviour contract is a voluntary written agreement, signed by an individual committing anti-social behaviour, in which the individual agrees to abide by the terms specified and to work with the relevant support agencies.

Two of these contracts signed were in Tavistock and because one person continued in their behaviour they have since been charged with criminal offences.

The other person has stopped their bad behaviour.

A third contract was signed in in Okehampton and related to an individual’s behaviour within their living complex.This contract involved police, community mental health team, housing provider and care provider. It is still in place but repeated breaches have been reported.

All agencies are working together to now try and find a more suitable accommodation for the individual.

There have been no ’community trigger activations’ in West Devon compared to two in the previous year.

A community trigger is activated by a local authority when an individua has reported an incident three or more times within a six-month periodThey are designed to give the victim the right to demand that agencies deal with persistent anti-social behaviour.

An anti-social behaviour injunction was served on an Okehampton resident by Sanctuary Housing, a result of which the individual moved out of the family home and has been found alternative accommodation out of the area by adult social care which has resulted in the ASB stopping.

Meetings to discuss individuals causing anti-social behaviour are held monthly with regular attendance by police, social landlords, West Devon Borough Council and community mental health teams.

At this meeting vulnerable adults will also be discussed to ensure that all agencies are aware and that appropriate support is being offered.