Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson, has launched the latest in her series of surveys on crime and policing. The latest version asks local people for their views and experience of anti-social behaviour.

The previous Labour government tackled the problem by introducing Community Policing, Anti-Social Behavioural Orders (ASBOs) and greater funding for front line policing.

The Tory-led government is making it increasingly difficult for the police and communities to fight crime by cutting over 650 Police and Police Community Support Officers in Northumbria, weakening powers on DNA, CCTV and scrapping ASBOs.

Bridget needs your help to monitor the effects of these cuts imposed on our police service. You might have been a victim of anti-social behaviour and have an insight into the misery it can cause to individuals and neighbourhoods, or are just concerned what the cuts to front line police forces would mean for you and your family.

On the launch of her new survey, Bridget said:

“Anti-Social behaviour is a real concern to many people in our community. I believe it is always best to tackle such behaviour as quickly as possible to stop it taking hold and developing.

“To tackle anti-social behaviour in an effective way we need the police, local council and the courts all to work together. My worry is that with fewer frontline police officers it will be more difficult to make sure this happens. Therefore, I’m asking people in the local community to help in monitoring the situation.”