Louts set for a backlash

By Allister Hayman
VICTORIANS fed up with louts, drunkards, hoons and vandals are about to receive some satisfaction after police launched a new campaign targeting antisocial behaviour last week.
The campaign, titled “Antisocial behaviour is not on,” will be conducted throughout rural and regional Victoria.
It aims to raise awareness and reduce incidents of antisocial behaviour, such as damage to property, hoon driving, abusive language, drug use, graffiti, offensive or aggressive behaviour, intoxication, underage drinking, drink driving and indecent exposure. In the past year Victoria Police processed over 46,000 cases of such incidents and, according to a recent police survey, more than 80 per cent of Victorians are concerned by the issue.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Evans said the objective was to reduce the incidence of antisocial behaviour by educating the public about the repercussions.
“All Victorians have a right to feel safe in their communities. Antisocial behaviour can often be perceived as intimidating and harassing and it’s simply not on,” Assistant Commissioner Evans said.
Senior Sergeant Russell Patten, of the Pakenham police, said they would focus in particular on damage to property.
“Wilful damage is one of the big ones and we will be targeting that and the contributing factors to that, like intoxication,” he said. The three-month campaign will be conducted in partnership with PRIME Television and will include a community service announcement and an information postcard circulated across the state.