Heat 'brings worst out of people' says commissioner

Chris Nelson, Gloucestershire's PCC, said street drinking increases in the warmer months

A police and crime commissioner (PCC) has warned that the summer months "bring the worst out of people" as a new safety initiative is launched.

Gloucestershire's organisations and emergency services launched the Safer Streets Summer Initiative in Kings Square on Monday in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Gloucester.

Chris Nelson, Gloucestershire's PCC, said ASB increases in the summer, with his office recording 256 incidents in July, August and September in 2024, at a rate of about three incidents per day.

But Issachar Foster from The Music Works, which supports young people, said those engaging in ASB may be doing so "out of boredom".

Mr Nelson said ASB "often goes underreported" due to the public thinking the police "won't do anything about it".

"We do, and we've improved our 101 reporting system so the average waiting time is less than one minute," he said.

"In the summer months, when the sun comes out, it tends to bring the worst out of people.

"People get short-tempered, drinking in the streets - that's often how it is made worse."

Emergency services and organisations gathered in Kings Square on Monday to discuss how to keep people in Gloucester safe this summer

Alex McIntyre, MP for Gloucester, was also at the launch and said those who have experienced ASB "wouldn't describe it as low level".

"It's persistent, it annoys the hell out of you and it really can cause misery to people's lives," he said.

"It's so important that we tackle it and that people can come to the city centre, feel safe... and make this the most brilliant place to come and spend the day."

Issachar Foster is hopeful The Music Works will reach more young people in Gloucester

Mr Foster, creative programme manager at The Music Works, said the youth-led organisation helps young people access music.

"We have reached a lot of young people, especially in the last few years but there's still so many more for us to reach," he said.

"I definitely do think young people get a bad rep but then, at the same time, I think there's nothing for them to do, so where they might act out of boredom then it might be perceived as a whole lot more."