What is Anti-social Behaviour ?

The posts on the Wisbech Discussion Forum amaze me at times. Such a rich source of research material for a social scientist, but it does depress me that there is so much racism, “... we brought people here...” “... people were allowed in...” and similar phrases are regularly used to imply that anti social activities in the town can be attributed to foreigners. Our councillors will be discussing anti social behaviour and it is to be hoped that they will begin by clearly defining what is considered to be anti social behaviour.

 

When Prince Harry got married Windsor council decided to clear all unattractive people out of their town using PSPOs. Windsor didn’t care where these people went just as long as they moved away.  I hope we don’t fall into that misguided use of PSPOs.

Some towns have issued penalty notices to people begging, a State response to poverty that is difficult for many humane people to understand, and one that must surely just move the people to another town.

Are we, as residents  all clear what constitutes anti social behaviour? Do we know what we want our councillors to discuss?

It may sound simple but we don’t all share one mental model of good/bad behaviours.

Cycling on pavements without consideration towards pedestrians?

Parking your car on the pavement?

Double parking so that the road is blocked?

Throwing eggs at cars?

Littering?

Urinating in public?

Damaging/stealing public assets such as the fountain or hanging baskets?

Lighting a bonfire when your neighbour wants to hang washing on the line?

Being noisy - having a late night party, setting off fireworks?

Asking a stranger for money?

Selling alcohol to a person already under the influence of alcohol?

What other anti-social activities can you name?

Which needs tackling first?

For some Wisbech residents a group of people sitting on a park bench with cans in their hands is anti social. For some the dislike of foreigners goes so deep that just living here, in what they consider to be “their” town offends. I have been criticized for expressing an opinion because I was not born here.

St Peter’s gardens often get a mention, usually negative. Often describing it as an environment to be avoided because of the disgusting behaviours that occur there. I have lived in Wisbech for over two years and walk through those gardens 3 or 4 times every week at different times of day from morning to evening.

I have never seen any man exposing himself. I did once see a man who was probably urinating. He was facing the wall and his back was towards me, and anyone else in the gardens. I lacked the curiosity to run across and peer round to check on what he was doing and so we’ll never know - he could just have been admiring a plant. (I couldn’t assess his nationality either) Urine, and men’s urine in particular is so beneficial to the soil that personally I don’t find this a problem. Lawrence D Hills, who founded the Henry Doubleday Research Association called men’s urine ‘compost activator’. It is a problem if urination takes place against buildings where the smell can be foul, but not if it is deposited onto soil.

The people I’ve seen sitting in the gardens have never accosted me or hassled me in any way. Once a man did ask me for cash for a meal, and although he appeared to be dulled by alcohol he wasn’t aggressive or frightening in any way. Nor was he foreign - he spoke with a Fenland accent. A poor person asking for help is fine by me. If I can afford I will give, if I can’t then I don’t.

The single terrifying incident I have experienced was just a week ago when I paused to admire the wonderful veg garden by the church. A speeding cyclist came within a few centimetres of a collision at speed and this thirteen or fourteen year old boy let rip with a mouthful of foul abuse. Apparently “F***ing old women” shouldn’t be dallying on the path where one of Fenland’s teenagers has choosen to cycle. As an old person I fear the loss of my independence due to a broken bone more than many of the other inconveniences or insults that daily living might throw at me.

I also walk to Asda through the cemetery every day and often do see foreign people sitting in there. We exchange nods and mumbled greetings, occasionally share a sentence or two about the weather or the birds - but they have never been unpleasant or worrying.

One final comment - as an old single person I occasionally walk through the town alone at 9-10pm after a visit to the cinema or theatre, and have never felt threatened. The people I’ve met have either been friendly, or ignored me. (except for that pesky boy on the bike, and that altercation occurred around 4pm. Wisbech is a beautiful town, it does need some regeneration (as do most towns in 2019) but it feels safe for me.

I’m interested to know what others see as the highest priority anti-social issues. What would you like to see your councillors discuss?