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Welcome for troubleshooter
PLANS to appoint a troubleshooter to help sort out a town's anti-social problems have been warmly received.
Corby Council's acceptable behaviour officer will be responsible for tackling hate crimes, yob culture and general anti-social behaviour in the town.
The officer, who will earn up to 28,000 a year, will also provide support for victims and witnesses involved in crimes and complaints.
Residents backed the moves after it was revealed that the council now receives about 20 new complaints about anti-social behaviour every month.
Irene Hayes, 36, of Kingsthorpe Avenue, Corby, said: "Having a specific officer for anti-social behaviour will make things better for people with complaints.
"It would be good to have them visiting your home and listening to what problems you have had."
Police in the town have also welcomed the new officer.
Sgt Nigel Roberts, of the community action team, said: "Speaking on behalf of the Corby force, we fully support this position and look forward to securing stronger links with our partners.
"This is another string to our bow in tackling anti-social behaviour in the town."
The introduction of the officer follows a spate of race attacks in the town on Eastern Europeans since the start of the year.
Last month a gang of thugs beat a 26-year-old Hungarian man unconscious in Jubilee Avenue, while in another attack a gang of six left a Polish man with severe facial injuries.
Northamptonshire Race Equality Council chairman Anjona Roy said: "Despite a lot of race-hate crime being violent, reporting of it is not as good as it has been in the past and anything that can encourage this has got to be supported."
The officer will also gather evidence on crack houses, hate crimes and youth nuisance.
The aim is to stop anti-social behaviour at the earliest opportunity to prevent it causing lasting harm.
David Baker, chairman of the Lodge Park Tenants' and Residents' Association, which has had problems in Arran Way in the past, said: "The more people the council gets working together on the issue of anti-social behaviour the more issues will be sorted out."
Council leader Pat Fawcett said: "In terms of acceptable behaviour we believe a lot of young adults don't realise what they are doing is wrong; that when they go out enjoying themselves and making a noise it can actually upset other people.
"The officer's initial task will be to discuss what is and is not acceptable to avoid going down the anti-social route."
In Wellingborough the town had an anti-social behaviour officer for two years.
A council spokesman said: "Our officer was extremely effective in putting in place a number of anti-social behaviour orders.
"The post has been empty but in the past two weeks we have appointed a new officer."
At councils in Kettering and East Northamptonshire there is no specific officer for anti-social behaviour.
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 12 February 2012
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