Inspector responds to anti-social behaviour concerns

A police inspector has responded to concerns over anti-social behaviour in Diss after reports of a fight on Fair Green.

The incident, which occurred on September 7, saw a teenager arrested and a girl taken to hospital. An eyewitness said he believed anti-social behaviour among youngsters in Diss was becoming worse and that it was “only a matter of time before someone gets maimed or killed”.

Inspector Laura Symonds said the police were aware of residents’ concerns and that anti-social behaviour was a policing priority for Diss.

“We’ve been speaking to communities to gather information and, where issues have been identified, we have spoken to the individuals involved, along with their parents, and we are working with partners to consider diversionary tactics,” said Insp Symonds.

“Where an offence has been identified, we have taken the appropriate action to seek prosecution or offer alternative options to address offending behaviour.”

In recent months, officers have also increased patrols, including visible and plain clothed officers and stop searches where appropriate.

Prior to the summer holidays, they visited schools to deliver presentations to young people about anti-social behaviour and the dangers of carrying weapons.

“It is important to realise we cannot tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour with policing alone,” said Insp Symonds.

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“While we are working hard with schools and authorities to tackle the issue, it is important that communities also work with police to prevent it from happening in the first place by educating young people about the consequences and to report incidents when they happen.”