ON MARCH 10, 2026, more than 100 representatives from the Emergency Services, Criminal Justice System, local authorities, education, health service, housing and third sector gathered for a major regional conference on improving the response to anti-social behaviour (ASB) in North Wales.
The conference, ‘Tackling ASB Together: North Wales,’ took place at the Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno Junction and was hosted by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Andy Dunbobbin. It aimed to explore ways of improving service to the victim and ensuring they are engaged throughout the process on how to prevent ASB from starting or continuing and fostering safer communities through greater collaboration between different agencies and partners.
Wayne Jones, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, organised and chaired the event and emphasised the importance of collaboration and early intervention.
The opening of the event featured a video message from Claire Waxman OBE, Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, and an address from Thomas Cracknell, Interim CEO of the Office of the Victims’ Commissioner, who outlined national challenges for victims and the need for meaningful justice system reform.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin explained how ASB Case Reviews contribute to a system that better serves local victims. World-renowned expert, Professor Spencer Chainey of University College London’s Jill Dando Institute, presented on key principles of effective ASB prevention.
Specialist organisations also presented to audience members on practical approaches that have a significant impact across North Wales, including:
- Charlotte Hamilton Kay, Deputy CEO of ASB Help, provided an overview of the importance of amplifying victims’ voices, and illustrated the real‑world impact that persistent antisocial behaviour has on individuals and communities.
- Jenni Griffiths, Head of Resident Services at ClwydAlyn Housing Association, demonstrated how effective collaboration within social housing can support the management and prevention of ASB.
- Victim Support and the Wales Hate Support Centre, represented by Jessica Brooks, Gethin Chapman, and Linda Parry delivered an insightful case study and panel discussion on supporting victims of both ASB and hate crime.
- Inspector Claire McGrady of North Wales Police outlined a range of hotspot policing and problem‑solving approaches designed to deliver long‑term community safety improvements.
The Victims’ Commissioner’s interim CEO, Thomas Cracknell, noted that for too long victims and those affected by antisocial behaviour (ASB) were overlooked within the justice system.
However, this latest ASB conference demonstrated a clear shift in that culture and emphasised the renewed commitment to tackling ASB and ensuring victims finally have a genuine voice that is heard and acted upon.
He said: “It is always really inspiring to walk into places like this, especially coming from London and Westminster where you feel like you are isolated from what is going on all around the country.
“As Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, it is really important to be out and about listening to what is happening on the ground, and it is really inspiring to hear so much action.”
“More than ever it is really important to ensure we reflect on the lived victim experience. I think we can always get lost in statistics, but more than ever, victims need to be heard and be seen to be heard.”
Elgan Williams, Programmes Manager at the Wrexham AFC Foundation, discussed the success of the Foundation’s Street Dragons young people engagement programme in North Wales and thanked PCC Andy Dunbobbin for essential funding for their work.
He said: “The event has been fantastic. It is great to see so many people in the room engaging with how we can tackle ASB collectively.
“What’s brilliant about the partnership and funding is that it enables us to work with locally trusted organisations to make an impact across communities. What has been great today is the shared practice of having networking conversations with people about how we can make a real difference to communities and help people across Wrexham and North Wales.”
Deputy PCC Wayne Jones said: “Anti-social behaviour forms a key priority in PCC Dunbobbin’s Police and Crime Plan for North Wales. ASB has a real impact on people’s lives, and it is vital that victims feel heard, supported, and taken seriously.
“The insight shared today will help us further strengthen our local response and build safer, more confident communities across the region.”
