Community take stand against antisocial behaviour issues in Larches with new app

And they are promoting the new 'Remote Reporting' app that enables people to report cases of antisocial and nuisance behaviour from their phones.

Colleagues from the CGA were joined by members of the community engagement team, Councillors David Borrow, Jennifer Mein and Phil Crowe and officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team yesterday.

Community Gateway Association is Preston’s largest housing association and the main landlord in the Larches and Savick area.

During the past few months, they have received a rise in reports of antisocial behaviour and youth nuisance.

Yesterday, the Post reported that the Larches Post Office, on Elswick Road was raided by armed robbers.

And in September, local residents admitted they were 'frightened' of violent attacks breaking out in the area.

Concerns have been raised about groups of young people congregating after school and causing a nuisance in some of the accommodation blocks and around Savick shops, endangering themselves and others.

Graham Dunkley, Tenancy Enforcement Manager at CGA said: “Community Gateway has joined forces with the Police and other partner agencies to work together to tackle the problem.

"The day of action is to reach out to the community in these difficult times; to raise awareness and let residents know how to report criminal behaviour and other nuisance."

Staff were available by the shops on West Park Avenue, talking to people returning from school and offering advice and reassurance. They also used the opportunity to report new cases of antisocial behaviour.

And today, November 3, the team have been delivering flyers to residents detailing what to do if tenants are concerned about rising levels of anti-social behaviour.

Sergeant Dan Wood, of the Preston Neighbourhood Policing team, said: "The Neighbourhood Team were out with Community Gateway leaflet dropping contact details off so that the community know who to contact when they have issues.

"Antisocial behaviour can really disrupt and upset the local community, it can have a real negative effect on peoples lives. The best way to tackle anti-social behaviour is for the community, Police and their partner agencies including housing to pool their resources and work together.

"It is an issue that affects people of all ages and demographics and by the community taking ownership of issues and working together with agencies you are much more likely to get a long term positive result."

As well as the usual phone, web and email contact details, the leaflets are promising a new reporting app which enables people to report problem behaviour confidentially to CGA.