Anti-social behaviour cases in West Dunbartonshire could exceed 1000 by the end of the financial year, Labour councillors have warned.

So far the local authority has had to deal with 511 instances of anti-social behaviour on a budget of £446,000 for the year 2021/22 compared to 978 cases the previous year on a budget of £398,000.

A motion and addendum were presented to full council earlier this week asking the chief executive to bring a report to a future meeting detailing staffing levels and operational arrangements when it comes to dealing with this issue.

A seminar will also take place before the report is prepared allowing elected members to determine particular areas for concern.

Labour councillor David McBride said: “I don’t think this is a controversial motion, simply stating the facts, information, noting budget allocations and the rise of anti social behaviour cases.

“One thing I’m sure about is I can speak on behalf of all councillors that when a constituent contacts us about an anti-social behaviour case we know this case is likely to be one of our most difficult in our casework.

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“Having a report will allow the council to scrutinise the service and the appropriate staffing levels to allow us to decide if there’s any further action we can take to try and assist the situation.”

The motion also stated that since the anti-social behaviour budget has been cut, the number of cases continues to increase. 

During 2017/18 the budget was £719,000 with just 312 cases that year. Due to staff reductions, the council can only operate with a maximum of three officers which means the service ends at 2am. 

The number of mediation referrals has also steadily reduced from 93 in 2017, 71 in 2018, 41 in 2019, and to 13 in 2020/21 when the service was suspended due to Covid. 

There have been no referrals during the current financial year 2021/22. 

SNP councillor Diane Docherty added: “I fully agree with councillor McBride that anti-social behaviour is something we all really struggle with as councillors. 

“I would add that the council asks officers to arrange an elected members seminar to allow councillors to ask detailed questions about this service area and help officers determine areas of particular interest or concern to councillors in advance of preparing this report.”