A programme aimed at bringing together communities who experience anti-social behaviour (ASB) has been hailed a success.

We, along with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, received funding last year from the government’s Safer Streets 5 (SS5) scheme to tackle ASB and violence against women and girls in Paignton town centre.

Charity Shekinah’s Make Amends successfully applied for SS5 funding to explore how it could use restorative justice – particularly community circles – to tackle ASB in the centre of Paignton.

Community circles are a way of bringing people together who have a shared experience to allow them to exchange ideas and make steps together to improve their lives, both as individuals and as part of a community.

Make Amends project workers forged links with statutory and voluntary organisations within the SS5 area. This led to a number of communities / groups experiencing ASB being suggested as likely to benefit from a community circle.

Following initial meetings with representatives of each group, the community circles were held. Attendance by group members is voluntary and the circle is overseen by Make Amends practitioners.

Participants are encouraged to share their experiences of ASB and the impact such activity is having on their day-to-day life. Once each person has spoken, the group agree which key partners they would like to invite to a follow up circle as observers.

This can include the local police, the council, social landlords, victim support, youth workers, local councillors, or any other organisation or individual the group consider may be able to help them.

A follow up circle is arranged where the participants share their experiences with the observers, allowing them to hear firsthand the issues being experienced. The group then problem solve the issues, with observers suggesting ways they may be able to help. Examples could be increased police patrols, improved lighting or victim support advocacy.

A final circle is held with the original participants where updates and feedback are given. Sometimes the group decides they want to continue to meet regularly, explaining that meeting up with each other and sharing experiences has been a great benefit to their general wellbeing.

To date Make Amends has worked with six different communities or groups within the SS5 area and has facilitated 12 circles for 37 participants.

Jax Page, Senior Restorative Justice Practitioner at Shekinah, said: “The general theme running through them was an acknowledgment their voices were being listened to at last.

“Participants were also relieved to find they were not alone, that others were experiencing the same issues as them. 

“We can also use the circles to signpost members to support agencies.”

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “People who experience anti-social behaviour can often feel like their concerns are not being listened to or understood.

“It’s so encouraging to hear that these circles have given them a chance to have their say.

“As a result of the circles all parties felt heard and acknowledged. The feelings of bitterness and resentment were replaced by a deeper sense of community and mutual support.”

Read more about the work of Safer Streets in Paignton