More than 400 cases of anti-social behaviour recorded in nine months as victims urged to share experiences

dailyrecord.co.uk:

More than 400 cases of anti-social behaviour were reported to Stirling Council in just over nine months last year.Now victims are being asked to share their experiences of the nuisance and criminal behaviour - described as a “blight on our communities” - as councillors vow to do more to tackle the problem.Councillor Maureen Bennison, who will chair a new panel set up to look at the issues, previously said anti-social behaviour was a “living nightmare” for some residents living with the scourge of drug taking and vandalism.She said: “Since 2017 I have received almost daily complaints of anti-social behaviour including drug dealing, drug taking, vandalism, assault, threatening behaviour and the like.

It can be a living nightmare.“While I agree everyone is entitled to a roof over their head, neighbours should not be exposed to the constant stress of living next door to tenants with ‘chaotic lifestyles’.”The new cross-party scrutiny panel is asking residents, communities, groups and businesses to share their experiences of anti-social behaviour and to put forward ideas on how they think the council could deal with it more effectively.Harassment and other forms of anti-social behaviour, including criminal activity, can have a significant impact on those affected.

It affects quality of life, mental health and physical wellbeing for those involved and damages the wider community as a whole.Between April and December 2021 there were 413 anti-social behaviour cases reported to Stirling Council’s community safety team.Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.Cllr Bennison, said: “Anti-social behaviour is a complex and wide ranging issue involving a variety of different negative and unwelcome behaviours.