Dudley Council steps up action for Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week

Dudley Council will be shining a spotlight on its work to tackle anti-social behaviour when it marks national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.

Throughout next week, council teams will be carrying out a programme of activity across the borough to raise awareness, engage with communities and take direct action against nuisance and criminal behaviour.

This includes visits to schools and community spaces, targeted enforcement operations and continued use of innovative technology – including a council-operated drone – to deter and detect offences.

There will be a drop-in session with members of the council’s ASB team on Monday 29 June at 10am at Bumble Hole Café in Netherton. The team will be speaking with local volunteers and members of the public about enforcement work that is being undertaking in the area.

The drone forms part of Dudley Council’s enhanced approach to tackling ASB and related crime. It is being used to monitor issues such as illegal off-road bikes and quad bikes on public green spaces, support fly-tipping investigations, and even identify potholes. Equipped with thermal imaging technology, it can also help identify properties potentially being used for illegal drug cultivation.

The council is also working under new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), which give additional powers to tackle issues such as street racing in parts of the borough.

Anti-social behaviour typically rises during the warmer months and lighter evenings. Last year, out-of-hours calls peaked between May and August, with teams receiving an average of 124 calls per month between April and September 2025, compared to 79 per month between October 2025 and March 2026. By launching these measures now, the council is taking a proactive approach ahead of the expected seasonal increase.

Dudley Council’s dedicated out-of-hours ASB team continues to play a vital role, fielding more than 1,300 calls last year and carrying out over 1,700 home visits to respond to incidents and support residents.

Encouragingly, feedback from residents shows the council’s efforts are making a difference, with nine out of ten people who reported anti-social behaviour this year satisfied with how their case was handled.

Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a real impact on people’s lives and communities, and we are committed to taking strong, visible action to tackle it.

“Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week is an opportunity to highlight the work we are already doing and to engage directly with residents. From our dedicated out-of-hours response team to the use of cutting-edge technology like drones, we are taking a firm and proactive approach.

“We want residents to feel confident that when they report issues, they will be taken seriously and acted upon with decisive action against tenancy violations.

“Together with our partners and communities, we are working hard to keep Dudley a safe and welcoming place for everyone.”

Residents can report anti-social behaviour online at any time via the council’s MyDudley service. Criminal matters or emergencies should always be reported to West Midlands Police.