Wantage Town Council would like to clarify recent misleading claims made in the Wantage Herald regarding anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the town. The report inaccurately portrayed a significant increase in ASB. However, when considering data for Wantage alone—excluding surrounding areas such as Grove, Harwell, and Steventon—the increase is actually 7%, not the 81% reported. Unlike other towns, a wider geographical area was used in our case, putting Wantage in an unfair position and causing unnecessary anxiety within our community.
While any rise in ASB is concerning, the figures were misrepresented, leading to inaccurate conclusions that do not reflect the true situation in our community.
Working with Thames Valley Police, steps are being actively taken to address ASB by continuing to increase neighbourhood policing resources. Additionally, efforts are being made to improve the reporting of ASB through easier channels, which may lead to more incidents being recorded and better data for understanding the problem.
We must also recognise that high-profile events, such as incidents of ASB captured on camera and shared on social media, can amplify the perceived scale of the problem. While the police response is often swift and effective, it may not always be as visible to the public as the initial footage. Nonetheless, the community can be assured that the authorities are taking appropriate action to address these issues.
We want to reassure residents that, despite the misleading report, Wantage remains a safe and vibrant community, and we are committed to working with local partners to safeguard the well-being of our community and will continue to support residents in any way possible.