Victims of anti-social behaviour need help (From Barry And District News)

Victims of anti-social behaviour need help

DISTRAUGHT victims of anti-social behaviour in Barry should have better support and advice claims a Labour councillor.

Gibbonsdown ward representative Cllr Rob Curtis has called on the Vale of Glamorgan Council to take notice of Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement on tackling these social menaces.

He told the News: "Now local councils have to play their part by supporting initiatives that help people who suffer this terrible trouble.

"And I think the Vale council should be able to offer a service where support and advice is co-ordinated into one call, rather than bouncing a complaint from department to department."

A family living in Cllr Curtis' ward appealed for his help when a household in their area became unbearable to live near.

He added: "They didn't want to come forward, because the situation is still not completely resolved.

"But they were living near an abusive family who would play extremely loud music constantly, and who left piles of decaying rubbish stacked up in their garden.

"It took a while, but an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) was put on the family and if they break it, they will feel the full weight of the law.

"This horrendous behaviour doesn't just happen around housing estates and rented accommodation, but everywhere.

" I think it would be beneficial to the victims to have a co-ordinated support mechanism to help deal with their problems quickly."

Council leader Cllr Jeffrey James said: "To assist witnesses or victims of anti-social behaviour, council departments liaise and work closely with other agencies of the Vale Community Safety Partnership, including the police and Victim Support.

"In regular multi-agency meetings, cases of anti-social behaviour are discussed and solutions agreed, which include the use of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and, if necessary, the use of ASBOs.

"A designated anti-social behaviour and Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator employed by the council is in post and based at Barry Police Station."