Launch of support group for victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour

A voluntary group set up to support victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour in Bedminster officially launches next week.

CABOT, (Challenging Anti-Social Behaviour Objectives Together) is a voluntary community group which aims to provide a service to people suffering from the effects of anti-social behaviour.

The group will offer an empathetic ear, advice and assistance and mentor victims and witnesses through the stressful process of reporting anti-social behaviour. A key aim is to encourage more people to challenge ASB by working to remove the stigma associated with reporting it.

The group will provide a confidential advice service - through a drop-in centre, the Internet and over the telephone - as well as help members of the public access other statutory and voluntary agencies in the city as appropriate.

Councillor Peter Hammond, Chair of Safer Bristol, said: "Anti-social behaviour in Bristol, as in towns and cities across the UK, continues to be a significant concern for many people.

"CABOT will play an important part in the ongoing work to tackle it by providing support to victims of ASB, as well as witnesses, encouraging more people to challenge unacceptable and criminal behaviour."

Ways of which CABOT can provide support include helping clients who have difficulty in filling in evidence diaries. Volunteers will also help guide clients through other agencies procedures, including how to make complaints.

CABOT will also seek to engage with communities to make sure they are providing a service which reaches out to all in need. A key aim is to interact with existing youth and equalities forums to find the best way forward to provide a service which best enables them to report incidents of anti-social behaviour.