COMBATING anti-social behaviour is the responsibility of police, fire service, councils, housing associations and local communities, says Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

Tony Lloyd, pictured is supporting a national campaign, launched by the Association of Chief Police Officers, to coincide with the darker nights and Bonfire Night, which traditio-nally leads to an increase in anti-social behav-iour.

Reports of anti-social behaviour across Greater Manchester have increased by nine per cent to 145,118, compared with 132,827 the year before.

Mr Lloyd said: “Anti-social behaviour is a blight on our communities and makes people’s lives a misery. I’ve met with victims of anti-social behaviour and seen the devastating impact it has on them, often afraid to leave their homes, feeling like they have nowhere to turn and for some, accepting it as a way of life. This is not acceptable — more needs to be done to tackle it and we all have a part to play.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour and putting victims at the centre are central to my police and crime plan, which shows how important I think this issue is.

“Police, councils, housing associations, the fire service have a responsibility to work in partnership to make sure we’re meeting the needs of victims and empower communities to work with agencies to stamp out anti-social behaviour.”