VICTIMS of anti-social behaviour in East Lancashire have been told to use new powers to demand persistent troublemaking is dealt with.

Residents can now ask for a review into how police, councils, clinical commissioning groups, and social housing providers have handled their reports of anti-social behaviour if they believe the right action hasn’t been taken.

Part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which comes into effect today, states that every council must offer a ‘Community Trigger’.

The new law is aimed at dealing with some of the most persistent, complex cases. For a review to be triggered by the new act, the behaviour must have been reported within a month of the alleged incident taking place, and the request for a review must be made within six months of that report.

Hyndburn’s communities boss, Coun Pam Barton, said: “The purpose of this is to enable members of the public to ask for a review of their anti-social behaviour case to be carried out.

“This will allow all involved agencies to assess the way in which the complaints have been dealt with so far, and if any further actions can be put in place, to resolve the issues.”

Chief Supt Bill McMahon said: “Lancashire Police is committed to listening to the views of people within our communities.

“We recognise the importance of putting victims first.

“The introduction of the ‘Community Trigger’ will help reassure victims that we take their reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and will work in partnership to reduce vulnerability within our communities.”

Coun Barton added: “It can be used by any victim of anti-social behaviour or by any person acting on their behalf, for example a family member, friend, carer, councillor, MP or other professional person.”

To start a review, residents can write to their local council, call the main switchboard and ask for the Community Trigger team or visit the website and search ‘Community Trigger’.