On my walk to the station this morning, I spotted that someone had again driven across the Village Green. Given the very wet weather they have churned up the grass to leave a scar in the surface. No doubt it will be there for some months. Perhaps this was their intention, perhaps they just wanted to make a short cut without using the road, who knows. In other parts of Oxted South the grass verges by the side of roads are often turned to mud by people parking inconsiderately in wet conditions - something a lot of us are probably guilty of occasionally. These are both examples, however far down the spectrum of how anti social behaviour by a small minority in the community can negatively impact the lives of many.
However there are things we as individuals, but also collectively, can do about it.
In this season of goodwill to all men we can of all moderate our own behaviour to make sure that we consider the lasting effects of parking on that bit of grass in the wet. We can also report criminal anti social behaviour to the Police on 999 or if less urgent on 0845 125 2222
We can act as community; for instance following some trouble a couple of months back around the Pollards Oak Road shops, local residents have set up a petition to get better lighting and a CCTV camera installed; Tandridge District Council and Surrey Police have both responded and protecting residents there is a priority for the local crime reduction partnership.
And your council the Police and other public bodies can act with authority - as Tandridge District Council did last month in being awarded its first ASBO on a Council House Tenant.
If we act together it is possible to strike back against anti-social behaviour.
