I'm starting a new group to fight against anti social behaviour across South Tyneside
A Westoe resident is hoping "strength in numbers" will help to fight anti social behaviour in South Tyneside.
A South Tyneside community volunteer is encouraging residents to come together to fight anti social behaviour across South Tyneside.
Mark Berriman says he started the project after becoming aware of more incidents during his work supporting charities across the Borough.
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He is now hoping a “strength in numbers” approach will encourage residents to report instances of anti social behaviour they may not have done previously.
“I’ve witnessed through the community work I do it’s just getting worse and worse” he explains, talking about his work with vulnerable adults across the region.
His efforts for the group, named ‘Safest South Tyneside – Action For Enforcement,’ involve building a sense of community so residents feel they can improve their area.
“The problem we have in South Tyneside is we’re lacking that community spirit.
“Some people are afraid to get involved and some people are afraid to call 999” adds the 46 year old, who unsuccessfully stood as an independent candidate in the recent local elections in early May with anti social behaviour as one of his key issues.
“Strength in numbers is very much what we need to work as a community to look after one another.”
The group currently remains as a purely online community, which is already nearly 400 people strong, but Mark hopes the members will “increase community involvement and reporting.
“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel” he adds, talking about Durham North where regular patrols are carried out by community wardens.
These wardens look out for crimes such as littering, dog fouling and flytipping.
Mark hopes more reports will persuade change to be made to the number of wardens in South Tyneside.
Anti social behaviour remains a key ongoing community discussion across South Tyneside. In May new Council Leader Cllr Paul Mackings said: "Anti-social behaviour is very much at the top of the list. It is a major concern for us, as it is for residents. It is a scourge on some of our public spaces.”