Rise in anti-social behaviour following car offences
Nuisance driving, speeding and car meets have fuelled a sharp rise in anti-social behaviour
Nuisance driving, speeding and car meets have fuelled a sharp rise in anti-social behaviour.
Repeat vehicle-related incidents in Hedge End are among the problems highlighted in the latest annual review of the Eastleigh Community Safety Partnership.
The report revealed that anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the borough has risen by more than 18 per cent.
Figures show there were 1,320 reports of ASB in 2025/26, up from 1,118 the previous year.
The findings will be discussed by Eastleigh Borough Council’s Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel on Monday.
The review highlights vehicle-related ASB as a particular problem, including nuisance driving, speeding and racing and car meets, with Hedge End and the southern parishes seeing a large number of reports.
Chief Inspector Rachel Noble, District Commander for Eastleigh, said: “As well as crime, we know that anti-social behaviour (ASB) has a huge impact on the quality of life for residents and businesses in Eastleigh.
“There have been a number of very specific issues which have accounted for a large quantity of reports, such as repeat vehicle ASB including in the Hedge End area.”
Nuisance driving, speeding, racing and car meets have been a common trend in Hedge End, according to the report.
But problems have not been confined to the roads, with Eastleigh town centre also seeing high levels of reports involving young people during the year.
Chief Insp Noble said community safety partners had been working together to tackle the problem.
She said police had used powers including dispersal orders and Community Protection Notice Warnings to restrict the behaviour of people who repeatedly engage in ASB.
However, the picture varies across the borough.
Chief Insp Noble said ASB levels at Hamble foreshore had fallen this summer following several years of work by police and partner organisations.
The increase comes despite reducing ASB in hotspot areas being one of the Community Safety Partnership’s priorities.
The annual review details measures used to tackle problems, including partnership work between police, the council and other organisations.
It also states that anti-social behaviour has increased over the past few years, with changes in the way incidents can be reported thought to be a factor.
Vehicle-related problems have been a particular focus, with agencies working together to tackle nuisance driving, speeding and car meets.
The partnership brings together agencies including Eastleigh Borough Council, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and other public services to tackle crime and disorder.
Cllr Tonia Craig, chair of the Eastleigh Community Safety Partnership Executive Board, and Eastleigh Borough Council have been approached for comment.