COUNCILLORS say they are not surprised after police data, analysed by Worcester News shows that anti-social behaviour is on the rise in the city. 

The data, from police.uk, has shown the number of incidents West Mercia Police has responded to every month for the last three years. 

Although not completely up to date, the data shows police responded to 221 incidents in the city in May 2024 . 

That's a 37% jump since January when there was only 161 incidents and an 18% jump from May 2023 when there were 187 incidents.

In fact, in the last two years, anti-social behaviour fell from January to May by 1.5% in 2023 and 4.3% in 2022. 

Cllr Ed Kimberley, a Worcester City Council councillor, said: "These figures don't surprise me at all as I've had lots of reports of anti-social behaviour. 

"It's worrying and concerning, but I'm grateful to the police for listening to councillors, however residents want to see action.

"Yes, we've got a problem.

"I think people rush to stick the problem on a particular group but I think it has more to do with a breakdown in youth services and a failure of the youth system. 

"I think there's a whole raft of things that could help, certainly more visible police officers, but people need not be discouraged from calling the police.

"I'm calling for a more holistic approach to the problem because it affects the whole of society. 

"We need to be tough on crime and tough on the causes."

Fellow city councillor Cllr Alan Amos was also not surprised by the increase, but said he was very worried about the serious crime that might follow.

Cllr Amos said: "We need to nip this in the bud, if not it will become a serious problem. 

"If people think they can get away with minor crimes it will escalate into something more serious because thugs will think they can get away with it. 

"37% is a massive increase and I have no doubt we will see this extrapolated into serious crime in the future."

May 2024 was the second-highest month on record since 2023, with only August having more cases of anti-social behaviour.

Chief inspector David Troth, of South Worcestershire patrol, said: “Anti-social behaviour is a broad term but has very real, individual, and collective victims.

"ASB can be things such as graffiti, littering, vandalism, off-road motorcycles, drinking in parks, aggressive and intimidating behaviour and for many people it is one of their biggest concerns in their community.

“While this type of behaviour might not seem serious to some people, it can have a huge impact on our communities and this activity creates an environment where more serious crime can flourish.

“Although we have seen an increase since the beginning of year, this is a national trend that we find every year, we will continue to work alongside our partner agencies and together we are fully committed to doing everything we can to tackle anti-social behaviour and it is essential that we work closely with our local communities in order to achieve this.

“We encourage people to report anti-social behaviour via online or by calling 101."