Victims of anti-social behaviour (ASB) are being urged to report all problems as summer approaches.

Victims of anti-social behaviour (ASB) are being urged to report all problems as summer approaches.

Redbridge Police said it was one of the most important issues it faces, with calls expected to increase at this time of year due to lighter evenings and warm weather.

Det Supt Mandy Beacher said legislation which came into force in October as part of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2014 – replacing ASBOs – had given police and Redbridge Council power to deal with problem residents without having to involve neighbours.

But she said the force still needed to be informed about incidents to build up a log of evidence.

Ms Beacher told the Recorder: “The big thing about this legislation is it means residents don’t actually have to provide evidence themselves.

“Encouraging people to come forward can be really difficult. It builds up a picture. The caller might not be the only one experiencing it, they might think it’s a one-off incident. But if five or six other people are experiencing it, then you find out it’s a problem in this area.”

Statistics showed Redbridge Police received 3,025 calls about anti-social behaviour during the six months until the end of April.

The hotspots were the town centre, Loxford, Ilford Hill, Cranbrook Road and Seven Kings.

Det Ch Insp Neil Lemon said: “We get some serious assaults that only affect the people involved, not the majority of people.

“If there’s anti-social behaviour in the town centre every day of the week, it will stop people coming.”

In January, the police and council partnership used the new legislation to shut down a property in Mansfield Road after reports of running battles with weapons and two assaults on police officers.

Officers applied for a court order making it a crime for anyone other than the lawful occupier to be at the address.

“It’s another tactic that helps us tackle anti-social behaviour,” said Ms Beacher. “You don’t have to go and stand up in court.

“You can call it through and it still can be dealt with. It’s a real quality of life issue. It’s really important.

“Everyone knows it’s a crime to burgle a house, but actually to be constantly woken up every Friday or Saturday night, or put up with rubbish and nuisance, are quality of life issues that can affect you even more because it’s ongoing.”

A Redbridge Council spokeswoman said: “Tackling ASB and its causes can be very complex and requires a strong partnership between the council and the police. Joint working is central to the processes for tackling and preventing ASB.”

To report problems call Redbridge Police on 101.