Conservative PCC prospective candidate Craig Mackinlay

Craig Mackinlay backs report by Royal Society for the Arts which says the public should be given lessons to tackle anti-social behaviour

Prospective candidate for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections Craig Mackinlay has backed calls for the public to be given lessens in how to tackle anti-social behaviour.

It follows a report by the Royal Society for the Arts, which said training could include how to defuse conflict.

Mr Mackinlay said: “The Royal Society for Arts recommendations are a superb example of common sense thinking.

“Police can never, even with improved visibility, be everywhere and at the exact time to deal with anti-social behaviour.

“The idea that police officers should train members of the public to deal with anti-social behaviour is superb.

“The careful balance will always be to assess whether it is prudent to intervene oneself or to make the appropriate 999 or 101 call. Personal safety must always be the priority.”

He added: “Those who indulge in anti-social behaviour have to be made to realise it’s not funny; it’s often scary; and it’s always unacceptable. I shall be pressing the Government to give urgent consideration to the RSA’s excellent proposals.”