To ask the Minister of Justice to detail (i) any assessment her Department has made of barriers to reporting persistent anti-social behaviour, including fear of intimidation or retaliation; and (ii) any measures that are in place to support and protect people who report repeated incidents within their community.

Barriers to reporting persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB) can include fear of intimidation or retaliation; concerns about being identified as the person who contacted the police; a belief that reporting will not result in meaningful change; the normalisation of persistent behaviour within an area; and uncertainty about which agency is responsible for addressing a particular issue. My officials have liaised with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on this matter.

The PSNI recognise people may be reluctant to report repeated incidents but encourage people to report ASB so that its nature, frequency and associated risk can be properly assessed. Reports of ASB may be made by calling 101, through the Police Service’s online reporting service, or directly to local officers and Neighbourhood Policing Teams. Accurate reporting helps identify repeat locations, individuals and patterns of behaviour, enabling police and partner resources to be directed where they are most needed. Information may also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Where repeated incidents are reported, the PSNI will consider the wider circumstances and any vulnerability of those affected, rather than viewing incidents in isolation. The online reporting process seeks information about the reporting person and the circumstances to support an assessment of risk. Where behaviour includes threats, harassment, intimidation, criminal damage, assault, hate crime or other criminal offences, it will be considered and investigated accordingly.

PSNI responses may include targeted patrols; engagement by Local Policing and Neighbourhood officers; investigation and evidence gathering; enforcement action against identified offenders; crime-prevention advice; and joint problem-solving with relevant partner organisations. Responsibility for addressing ASB is shared across a range of bodies, including police, councils, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, housing associations and private landlords, depending on the nature and location of the behaviour.

Where a person raises concerns about retaliation or further harm as a result of reporting, this should inform the police assessment of risk and subsequent response. Where appropriate, police may also work with statutory, housing and community partners to reduce identified risks and provide reassurance and support.

In terms of addressing ASB, including suspected drug related activity and violence, the deployment of resources including the detection and investigation such crimes is a matter for the PSNI.

My Department is seeking to address the issue of ASB through our ongoing development of proposals for revised legislation. Following a public consultation and the work of an ASB Working Group, officials are now developing Equality Impact Assessments (EQIAs) on legislative proposals on ASB, with a view to bringing forward legislation in the next Assembly mandate, subject to Executive and Assembly approval.