Antisocial behaviour can have a significant impact on people's quality of life and on how safe they feel in their neighbourhoods, town centres and public spaces.
Now Cornwall’s residents are being asked to shape how it is tackled in their communities over the next five years.
A six-week public consultation on Cornwall's new Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Strategy 2026-2030 has now launched on the Let’s Talk Cornwall website and will run until late November.
The strategy is being developed by Safer Cornwall and partner organisations, including Devon and Cornwall Police, to help reduce antisocial behaviour, support victims, and strengthen the way agencies work together to respond to local concerns.
Residents, businesses, community groups, town and parish councils, housing providers, young people and partner organisations are all encouraged to take part and help shape the final strategy before it is considered for approval in early 2027.
The new strategy aims to ensure Cornwall continues to take a proactive and coordinated approach to addressing these issues and supporting affected communities.
The emerging strategy focuses on five key priorities:
Partnership working
Prevention and early intervention
Problem-solving approaches for people and places
Supporting victims
Engagement and communication
The proposed priorities have been informed by extensive research and consultation work, including analysis of local and national evidence, reviews of antisocial behaviour data, needs assessments and workshops with partners on topics such as safer town centres, young people, housing, and the use of ASB powers and tools.
Early findings highlight concerns about the visibility of antisocial behaviour in public spaces, the links between ASB and issues such as vulnerability, homelessness and complex needs, the importance of early support for young people, and the need for even stronger partnership working across Cornwall.
Cllr Thalia Marrington, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health, said:
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported in the place they call home and while some people who engage in antisocial behaviour may face complex challenges, victims' needs must come first. This strategy combines support with accountability, addressing root causes while ensuring victims are heard, protected and supported.
“Antisocial behaviour can have a real impact on people's daily lives, which is why it's important that we hear directly from residents about the issues that matter most to them.
"This consultation is an opportunity for people from every part of Cornwall to help shape our priorities for the years ahead. Whether you've experienced anti-social behaviour yourself, work with people affected by it, or simply want to help make your community a better place, we want to hear your views."
The consultation asks whether the proposed priorities are the right ones for Cornwall and whether there are any additional issues that should be addressed before the strategy is finalised.
Take part on Let’s Talk Cornwall here: Safer Cornwall Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy | Let's Talk Cornwall