New officer is set to target yob culture

Yob culture in Staffordshire will be targeted by a new officer who will be leading efforts against anti-social behaviour throughout the county.

Cannock Chase Council will interview for the post of anti-social behaviour co-ordinator next week.

The co-ordinator will be responsible for taking charge of the response against louts plaguing communities and will work with police and street wardens to tackle the problem.

The post has been created to help co-ordinate efforts of all Staffordshire councils.

Cannock Chase Council is the lead authority in Staffordshire for action against nuisance crime.

The new officer will be expected to come up with new ways of tackling the problem as well as bringing together examples of good work from across the county.

The officer will be paid a salary of between £20,099 and £22,845 and will be charged with developing plans that involve local people.

Environmental protection manager at Cannock Council, Karen Sulway, said: "This new post will be aimed at creating sustainable reductions in anti-social behaviour and importantly the fear of anti-social behaviour.

"As the lead authority in Staffordshire we need to keep tabs on what everyone else is doing and this officer will be the one to bring that together."

Mick Grocott, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: "This is good news and the council is totally committed to reducing anti-social behaviour across the whole of the Chase.

"People always think anti-social behaviour is to do with young people but it can include noisy neighbours, dog fouling and people driving around with car radios blaring late at night.

"What works in Manchester doesn't work in Rugeley and that's why we need someone locally who is dedicated to tackling anti-social behaviour and can co-ordinate what can be done about it."