0:00:02 > 0:00:05Our lives are blighted by antisocial behaviour,
0:00:05 > 0:00:10whether it's nuisance neighbours, graffiti or too much booze.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Enjoy yourself, have a drink, but don't be a twit all night.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20This is the story of police officers, council wardens and local volunteers
0:00:20 > 0:00:24whose job it is to keep it off our streets.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28It's something people don't want to see and we're out to put a stop to.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Welcome to Street Patrol UK.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Coming up on today's programme:
0:00:35 > 0:00:40the wardens stamping out begging and littering on the busiest streets in the country.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43You just dropped your cigarette butt.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47There's litter bins there.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50The travellers tearing up a beautiful village.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55He came up, went onto the road, reversed back and spun his wheels.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59I got it all over my windows, my patio.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02I thought, "This is not funny any more, is it?"
0:01:03 > 0:01:08And the Scottish high street terrorised by out of control youths.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13Spitting in my face, punching me in my face. The police were called.
0:01:13 > 0:01:19There was pepper spray, batons and police had to phone for extra backup.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46Here in the heart of London, the streets are always buzzing,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50but the crowds can provide cover for people who are up to no good,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53whether that be petty crime or antisocial behaviour.
0:01:53 > 0:01:59Luckily, the wardens who patrol this area have got a secret weapon to allow them to see what's going on.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12Slap bang in the middle of the West End is a state-of-the-art CCTV control room
0:02:12 > 0:02:16providing a bird's eye view of what's happening on the streets.
0:02:16 > 0:02:24This means the council can keep an eye on anything from people dumping rubbish, to rough sleepers, beggars
0:02:24 > 0:02:31and illegal street traders. And they can co-ordinate the police response if things kick off.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Westminster CCTV, good evening.
0:02:33 > 0:02:40Ryan has worked here for five years and is passionate about keeping London's streets safe for everyone.
0:02:40 > 0:02:46I was like everyone else. "Big Brother? What do they look at? Do they look at me?"
0:02:46 > 0:02:53When you come in here, you sort of get a different outlook of the CCTV system. It's not what you think.
0:02:53 > 0:03:01It's there for the public protection. We basically look for anything from begging to counter-terrorism.
0:03:01 > 0:03:07Anything that's happening that's not normal, that's what we target and focus in on.
0:03:07 > 0:03:15And when he spots something, Ryan can quickly make direct contact with the wardens on the ground.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20We're their eyes, basically, so if we see something, we just alert them,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23then they can attend quickly.
0:03:25 > 0:03:31- Hello. Klaudija speaking. - Hello, it's Ryan.- Hello, Ryan. How are you?- I'm OK.
0:03:31 > 0:03:37- I lost you on camera. Whereabouts are you?- We're literally at the top of the street,
0:03:37 > 0:03:43- junction with Shaftesbury Avenue. - OK... Yeah, we can see you now.
0:03:43 > 0:03:49- Is there anywhere you would like us to go?- If you want to take a walk around Leicester Square.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51OK, sure.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Originally from Croatia, Klaudija has lived in the UK for 15 years.
0:03:55 > 0:04:01She became a street warden during the Olympics and liked it so much she's stayed ever since.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08I'm very passionate about what I do. I consider myself a public servant
0:04:08 > 0:04:15who is here to protect and serve the public. That's what drives me every single day.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20It's a busy Friday night and Klaudija and Ryan are in constant contact.
0:04:20 > 0:04:27Spotting and dealing with antisocial behaviour on the streets is a big part of their job.
0:04:27 > 0:04:33When she arrives in Leicester Square, Klaudija finds a man busking with an unusual trumpet.
0:04:40 > 0:04:46She's going to this guy now who is busking for money by blowing through that cone to make some noise,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49to get people to give him some money.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Hello, sir. Westminster City Council...
0:04:56 > 0:05:01As soon as he saw her, he just got up and shot off. He doesn't want that.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04He's taken his cone with him as well.
0:05:05 > 0:05:11No one likes to have someone there behaving inappropriately. It doesn't give a good image.
0:05:11 > 0:05:17That's something we're trying to minimise as well.
0:05:17 > 0:05:24Leicester Square isn't just a major tourist attraction. It's also a magnet for undesirable characters.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29I have just seen a person sitting on the floor who appears to be begging
0:05:29 > 0:05:32by extending their empty coffee cup.
0:05:32 > 0:05:39So I'm going to go and speak to him and see why is he there and why is he doing it.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44Good evening, sir. City of Westminster. Yes.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- Can I...? Can I ask what you are doing? Are you begging?- No.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51I'm just sitting down.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52OK.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Thank you, sir.
0:05:57 > 0:06:03He didn't want to engage in any conversation, which I understand. He seemed slightly embarrassed,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07which is also understandable, so I didn't take it any further.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10He's moved on. That's all we want.
0:06:11 > 0:06:17Begging is clearly antisocial, but other illegal activities cause big problems in the West End.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22Unlicensed sellers might seem harmless, but they're often involved in petty crime,
0:06:22 > 0:06:29- so the wardens keep a close eye on them.- Hi, Klaudija. It's me again. Whereabouts are you now?
0:06:29 > 0:06:32We're standing outside the Odeon. Can you see us?
0:06:32 > 0:06:40Outside Odeon, yeah. If you go back towards Haagen Dazs, there's four flower sellers
0:06:40 > 0:06:45- gathered there.- OK.- They're actively persuading people to buy flowers.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51They're coming towards you, walking towards Cranbourn Street.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Can you see? One with a blue top and a grey skirt.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58She just put the flowers behind her.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Excuse me. Excuse me, please.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Excuse me, please.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10You know I'm talking to you. Please open up your coat.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Thank you. Can I ask what you're doing? Have you got a licence?
0:07:17 > 0:07:22Have you got a paper that says you can sell these here? No.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Can I ask you, please, to move on and not to sell these?
0:07:26 > 0:07:31If I see you selling them again, I will take them away from you.
0:07:31 > 0:07:38She's been moved on from here. I've asked her if she possesses a licence to sell these in Westminster.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43She was claiming that she doesn't speak any English and that... she doesn't...
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Can I please ask you to move on from the area, please?
0:07:48 > 0:07:53Yes. There's obviously a group of them here tonight.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58I would be reluctant to take these away from them unless I would witness a sale.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01'They are a nuisance.'
0:08:01 > 0:08:05She's actively pestering people, you know,
0:08:05 > 0:08:10to purchase flowers, which they don't want to do. It's not only flowers.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Sometimes they pickpocket people as well, in large crowds.
0:08:14 > 0:08:21We have seen that before as well. These people are out there to make money by any means necessary.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Good evening, sir.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- Is this hat placed here for people to place money in there, sir?- No.
0:08:31 > 0:08:38It's not? Could you please kindly remove the hat so people can't place money in there?
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Yes. Thank you, sir. Thank you.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47Another problem sorted. Asking people to stop doing something is easy, though.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52Keeping offenders away from an area permanently is much more difficult.
0:08:52 > 0:08:58The same individual that we approached earlier who was moved on has seen us.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03He's just spotted us and he's moving quickly on again.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09He doesn't look very happy. It looks like that's his favourite spot, but we have to move on.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17It might be low-level stuff, but it's all antisocial and it bothers people.
0:09:17 > 0:09:23Klaudija, Ryan and the team will keep striving to make the streets of London safe for everyone.
0:09:23 > 0:09:30I feel that I'm making a difference behind the scenes. I'm still making a difference.
0:09:30 > 0:09:36I feel very passionate about doing that and playing my part in society to help this.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43It's fair to say there's one thing we all dread - selfish, noisy neighbours.
0:09:43 > 0:09:50So when newcomers move in and start disrupting an entire community, it's time for some group action.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55Which is what the residents of a picturesque West Midlands village decided to do
0:09:55 > 0:10:00when their peaceful lives were shattered by nightmare new neighbours
0:10:00 > 0:10:04who arrived one sunny spring weekend.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13LOUD BUZZING
0:10:19 > 0:10:23The intolerable noise was being caused by travellers
0:10:23 > 0:10:27who had recently bought the land, which is Green Belt.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32They were trying to develop it into a residential site and scrap yard.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36It was a massive shock to the local villagers.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41To find suddenly, one Bank Holiday Friday, that that amenity
0:10:41 > 0:10:47has literally been devastated and smashed by bulldozers, earth-moving vehicles,
0:10:47 > 0:10:53is hugely traumatic, not just for me, but for many hundreds of residents locally.
0:10:54 > 0:11:02Not only was the noise traumatic, but being Green Belt land, they did not have permission to develop it.
0:11:02 > 0:11:09Green Belt areas are protected as open spaces. Agricultural buildings can be built on them,
0:11:09 > 0:11:14but it's rare to be granted a change of use to build residential or commercial properties,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16but that didn't stop the travellers.
0:11:16 > 0:11:24Within about three hours, it became something that looked like a battlefield from the Somme.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30There were people standing by the fences, some crying, some angry.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Some people were in disbelief.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38I shed a lot of tears in the beginning, I really did.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Your whole world was turned upside down.
0:11:41 > 0:11:47There used to be an agricultural barn here, leading to a green field site. This area was covered in refuse
0:11:47 > 0:11:54and all sorts of debris. This area was used as an access point on to the main travellers' site.
0:11:54 > 0:12:00There was almost daily conflict between us and the travellers going on and off the site,
0:12:00 > 0:12:04at all hours - scrap metal vehicles, lorries, four by fours.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09Whenever they saw us in the driveway, there'd be one-fingered salutes,
0:12:09 > 0:12:16verbal and visual abuse and they would park across the gate filming us, to harass and intimidate us.
0:12:16 > 0:12:22But the residents weren't prepared to take this noisy invasion into their lives quietly.
0:12:23 > 0:12:29They formed an action group - Meriden Residents Against Inappropriate Development,
0:12:29 > 0:12:31or RAID - led by David.
0:12:32 > 0:12:39This is where the residents' protest site was. We had a brazier there, some flimsy awning over there.
0:12:39 > 0:12:46And this was maintained on a 24-hour basis for three years.
0:12:46 > 0:12:52I've been involved since day one doing four-hour shifts every weekend,
0:12:52 > 0:12:58Tuesdays, Wednesdays and whenever anyone couldn't make it, I'd fill in.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Minus 12 we've sat there with the brazier at night,
0:13:02 > 0:13:06just monitoring the site, making sure no work is carried out.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11The residents created a successful human blockade
0:13:11 > 0:13:15to stop lorries delivering tons of hardcore to develop the site.
0:13:16 > 0:13:23The travellers applied for retrospective planning permission to develop the site, but were refused
0:13:23 > 0:13:29- and the villagers bore the brunt of their frustration. - You couldn't walk down the lane
0:13:29 > 0:13:35without being abused or run off the road or the two-fingered salute, all that sort of business.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39You'd to put up with that, which we did. It was quite dignified.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Every time we came out the gate, you got abuse, tried to run you over.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47It was just all the time, something happening.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50To circumvent the planning process,
0:13:50 > 0:13:57by sending in bulldozers and barriers first, then afterwards submitting your planning application,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01is not the way to go forwards or to do development.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06It was about planning and developing on a piece of Green Belt land.
0:14:06 > 0:14:13If anybody could come along and buy an agricultural field and start developing it into accommodation,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18not right, it's not right. Anarchy.
0:14:19 > 0:14:26When the travellers saw that the residents were maintaining the grass verge, as always,
0:14:26 > 0:14:30they would target this area of grass verge.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34The first time they churned it all up, I came out, cleaned it all up,
0:14:34 > 0:14:39then I went out and they did it all again. So we left it for a bit,
0:14:39 > 0:14:43cleaned all the wall down and my husband sort of tidied it all up.
0:14:43 > 0:14:49And then about a month later he came up right onto the top, went onto the road,
0:14:49 > 0:14:57reversed back and spun his wheels. This time I got it all over my windows, all over my patio,
0:14:57 > 0:15:02and I got to the stage I thought, "This is not funny any more, is it?"
0:15:02 > 0:15:06So the police came along, had a word with him, put the cones down.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10If he damages the cones, it's police property.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14It's petty antisocial behaviour, but deeply upsetting to residents,
0:15:14 > 0:15:20who just do what good citizens do - look after the patch outside their house.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Far from being intimidated by the travellers' bullying behaviour,
0:15:24 > 0:15:29the residents were determined to fight the development of Green Belt land,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32no matter what it took.
0:15:32 > 0:15:38Over the next three years, we fought 20 legal, planning and technical decisions
0:15:38 > 0:15:43to prove that it's an inappropriate development and shouldn't be allowed.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46It's cost £90,000 of community money.
0:15:46 > 0:15:52It's taken three years of 24-hour protesting,
0:15:53 > 0:15:59it's involved visits to Westminster, the European Parliament, the Council and the high courts.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01All to protect what we cherish.
0:16:02 > 0:16:10The travellers lost every appeal until finally, after over 1,000 days of the residents' protest,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Birmingham High Court refused the final appeal and within a month
0:16:14 > 0:16:20the travellers had left the site and the villagers were quietly victorious.
0:16:20 > 0:16:26People might think that we were triumphant on the day that they left, but that's not the feeling at all.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28It's a feeling of immense relief.
0:16:28 > 0:16:34We fought hard and long over it. We've done it. The land will be restored to what it was
0:16:34 > 0:16:36before they made a mess of it.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39We hope now they'll reinstate it.
0:16:39 > 0:16:45When you live in a community, sometimes you don't realise how good it is until something happens.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Suddenly people get together and fight it.
0:16:49 > 0:16:56- I didn't know none of these people. - But now we're mates for life, a lot of us. Aren't we?- Yep. Yes, we are.
0:16:56 > 0:17:04This campaign and this devastation has woken a sleeping giant in this part of Middle England.
0:17:10 > 0:17:16'I've been out on a Street Patrol of my own to hear what bothers you about Britain.'
0:17:16 > 0:17:20What do you see, and sometimes have to put right, in your borough?
0:17:20 > 0:17:25A lot of littering. Graffiti, racial graffiti,
0:17:25 > 0:17:30spiting, loud music, that's a big, big issue.
0:17:30 > 0:17:36Where I work, you've got a set of apartments up above and they have balconies and stuff like that.
0:17:36 > 0:17:43Numerous fag ends go over into gardens down below, beer bottles, everything like that. A bad problem.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49- Ann and...?- Dave.- Nice to meet you. Tell me, what have you seen that happens around here
0:17:49 > 0:17:55- that you would say is antisocial? - When you walk along and see someone spitting, we never had it years ago.
0:17:55 > 0:18:03You'd get a handkerchief out. If you were sneezing, you'd put it up to your mouth. It's not the same.
0:18:03 > 0:18:10- Peter and Carol, I can tell you're not local. Where are you from? - Atlanta, Georgia.- Atlanta, Georgia.
0:18:10 > 0:18:17Superb. Can I just ask you, and this can be applicable to anywhere in the States or the UK,
0:18:17 > 0:18:22what antisocial traits do you see that drive you both bonkers?
0:18:22 > 0:18:29If someone threw a can on the road or litter with cigarette ash, I'd say, "Listen pick that up."
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- Have you done that?- Absolutely.
0:18:31 > 0:18:37- Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in the UK.- Thank you. - Thanks very much.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51Westminster Council in central London employs 20 local wardens
0:18:51 > 0:18:55who patrol the streets to keep them free from antisocial behaviour.
0:18:55 > 0:19:01No-nos include begging, camps left by rough sleepers, illegal trading,
0:19:01 > 0:19:06fly posting and graffiti. Each day holds a different challenge.
0:19:06 > 0:19:12Wardens Hussein and Ash regularly work together to keep the area safe and clean,
0:19:12 > 0:19:18not only for residents and businesses but also for the millions of tourists here every year.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- Where shall we go? Head there? - Yeah, check the hot spots.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27'I enjoy what I do very much. I get a sense of doing good.'
0:19:27 > 0:19:32I've done something, achieved something. It gives me satisfaction.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36It also gives me satisfaction working with my team. I help them.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41That's just as good as being out and helping the public, the businesses and community.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50Essex boy born and bred Hussein is almost as busy at home.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55With seven sons to keep in order and football coaching in his spare time,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58for Hussein variety is the key.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03We have a very wide spectrum of work, but that makes it interesting.
0:20:03 > 0:20:09Because things are varied, you never get bogged down with one issue. There's always something else.
0:20:09 > 0:20:16Today we're focusing on licensing issues, some street litter, maybe prostitute carders,
0:20:16 > 0:20:20some begging and maybe a bit of illegal street trading.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25First up is an all too common problem which Ash is quick to spot.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Excuse me, sir. Westminster City Council.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32You dropped your cigarette butt.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38There's a litter bin.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Once you put it out, you can.
0:20:43 > 0:20:51Cigarette waste and loose litter costs Westminster Council up to £500,000 in additional sweeping.
0:20:51 > 0:20:58Because cigarette waste is non-degradable, it takes five years to evaporate of its own accord.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01That will just stay on the streets unless it's swept up.
0:21:01 > 0:21:07Do us a favour - pick that up, put it away in the bin. It's just there.
0:21:07 > 0:21:14- You could have got a fine.- OK. - We're educating you today. Everybody chucks cigarette litter down.
0:21:14 > 0:21:20- I've always done it.- This costs Westminster a fortune just for additional sweeps.- I understand.
0:21:20 > 0:21:26- If you do your bit, we'll all be good.- You're a gentleman. - It's a pleasure, sir.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28'We tried to educate him.'
0:21:28 > 0:21:34He's picked up his cigarette. Hopefully, he won't do that again. That's one less person littering.
0:21:39 > 0:21:45This phone booth is absolutely full of prostitutes' cards.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50That's advertising sex workers' services for sale.
0:21:50 > 0:21:57We're on a busy touristic route and it's not very pleasant to look at, to be honest.
0:21:57 > 0:22:04People may want to use this for other purposes than these cards, so I'm going to remove these.
0:22:04 > 0:22:10There is stiff competition between the various people employed to put up these cards.
0:22:10 > 0:22:16Some even go as far as putting razor blades and harmful chemicals to stop them being removed.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19'It's a long, long problem.'
0:22:19 > 0:22:23There's big money involved in prostitution as a whole.
0:22:23 > 0:22:29Prostitution cards is one form of getting the clientele in, advertising their services.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36This job alone could keep the diligent duo busy full-time.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41There's people coming around pretty much as we're removing.
0:22:41 > 0:22:48What we're trying to do is catch them putting them up. Then we can maybe get a possible arrest out of it.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51It's a prosecutable offence.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01We all hate the sight of this kind of thing - mindless graffiti.
0:23:01 > 0:23:08It's hard enough to understand in places like this, but it's more outrageous on historical buildings.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13These are the stunning remains of Greyfriars Church, Gloucester.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17The church has been here in some form since the 13th century.
0:23:17 > 0:23:25Although what we see today dates back to the 1500s, the church has had its fair share of knocks.
0:23:25 > 0:23:31But what's left is now protected. English Heritage have given it a Grade 1 listed status.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36It's regarded by local people with a sense of affection.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40It's an open site. People can wander through the ruins as they wish.
0:23:40 > 0:23:46It's certainly a distinctive feature as you come into the central part of Gloucester.
0:23:46 > 0:23:52These houses, these castles are held in trust by various people for the nation.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55They are community heritage assets.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01But, sadly, not everyone respects this historic treasure.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06Some people look at this place and see a blank canvas.
0:24:09 > 0:24:14An act of vandalism to a designated heritage site such as this
0:24:14 > 0:24:18is an act of vandalism upon the community itself.
0:24:18 > 0:24:25Up here was a large noughts and crosses board that had been laid out and a game played upon it.
0:24:27 > 0:24:34This panel over here - some initials and a strange sign had been left upon the panel.
0:24:34 > 0:24:40In this case, the offender left some frank words of sexual advice to the police.
0:24:42 > 0:24:48We have found on other sites that if we have a flat piece of stone that we can lime wash like this,
0:24:48 > 0:24:54graffiti tends to be attracted towards that, rather than the more sensitive parts of the monument
0:24:54 > 0:24:57and we can repaint this.
0:24:58 > 0:25:04But, inevitably, sometimes these more sensitive areas are vandalised
0:25:04 > 0:25:07and that's when the real damage is done.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11The guy had sprayed the name Mike together with something below.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15If you look closely, you can see, possibly even here,
0:25:15 > 0:25:23the very smooth stone there where our specialist contractors have had to scrape off the top layer
0:25:23 > 0:25:28in order to remove the paint, thus resulting in permanent damage.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33That's what makes this type of antisocial behaviour so serious.
0:25:33 > 0:25:39- It's a double dose of damage. - I don't think the person concerned thought through their actions.
0:25:39 > 0:25:45They were just acting on instinct and hadn't stopped to think about the implications.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50It's particularly annoying because behind us is a warning sign saying how important this site is
0:25:50 > 0:25:56- and that it's a criminal offence to damage it.- It was starting to feel like fighting a losing battle
0:25:56 > 0:25:59until one incredible breakthrough.
0:26:01 > 0:26:06One of the vandals left a spray can behind and the police swooped.
0:26:06 > 0:26:12The paint cans were seized and taken back to the police station
0:26:12 > 0:26:16where they were sent in for forensic examination.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21From the forensic examination that came back with a DNA hit,
0:26:21 > 0:26:27the Scenes of Crime had located fingerprints on the cans themselves.
0:26:28 > 0:26:34Mark checked police and social security databases to find out where the offender lived.
0:26:34 > 0:26:40After some good old-fashioned detective work, he eventually tracked him down.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44He was arrested for the offence and taken before custody.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48During the interview, he actually admitted to the offence,
0:26:48 > 0:26:52so he was charged with the offence and put up in court.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58The 20-year-old vandal was given a 12-month conditional discharge
0:26:58 > 0:27:04and ordered to pay English Heritage for the cost of removing the graffiti from Greyfriars.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09It was a great result for Hugh and the whole community.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13What do I think of such graffiti? It's a crime, basically.
0:27:13 > 0:27:19It's a crime because it's against the law, it's a crime because it affects a community heritage asset,
0:27:19 > 0:27:27something that belongs to the community. It's for everyone to enjoy what it is.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45It's quite clear that graffiti like that ruins a beautiful place,
0:27:45 > 0:27:52but some graffiti, and quite rightly so, is considered art. Some people will pay quite handsomely for it.
0:27:52 > 0:27:58But when your sidewall or garage is tagged by vandals, that's a completely different story.
0:27:58 > 0:28:05Back in Westminster, street warden Hussein is out with ex-Royal Navy serviceman Brian
0:28:05 > 0:28:10to tackle the most persistent of blights that crops up right across the city.
0:28:10 > 0:28:17We've come down here today cos I'm meeting the cleansing contractor to remove some graffiti I reported.
0:28:17 > 0:28:22This is a busy residential area and it's got a market adjacent to it.
0:28:22 > 0:28:28It's quite a busy cut-through so a lot of people use this to get to other streets.
0:28:28 > 0:28:34A lot of people are offended by graffiti, so it's our intention to remove it as quick as possible.
0:28:34 > 0:28:39- Hello!- How you doing? All right? - How are you today, Tom?- Very well.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- I see you found it OK, then.- Yeah.
0:28:42 > 0:28:48- What's the procedure for us today? How long do you reckon it'll take? Is it doable?- Definitely, yeah.
0:28:48 > 0:28:55- It'll take one or two coats. I'm hoping one coat, which'll take 5-10 minutes.- Fantastic.
0:29:00 > 0:29:05Make no mistake, graffiti is not only antisocial, it's also illegal
0:29:05 > 0:29:10and it's estimated to cost us taxpayers £1 billion a year to get rid of.
0:29:10 > 0:29:18Don't think it's just a slap on the wrist and a fine if you get caught. If criminal damage exceeds £5,000
0:29:18 > 0:29:23and you're over 18, it carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26That should make anyone think twice.
0:29:26 > 0:29:32Graffiti's not just a City of Westminster problem. It's a country problem.
0:29:33 > 0:29:40A lot of it is just wanton vandalism. It's not wanted. A lot of it is gang-related, tag-related.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44This is someone saying that someone loves somebody, basically.
0:29:44 > 0:29:52It's a very nice gesture if it was on a card or a bit of paper, but it's on somebody's residential wall!
0:29:52 > 0:29:59- So we're going to get it cleaned. - Expert graffiti cleanser Tom can hardly keep up with the demand.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04I can get between... In a day, I've had up to 160 jobs in one day.
0:30:04 > 0:30:10So... But the average is usually between 30 and 40 jobs a day.
0:30:10 > 0:30:18So a lot of them now, what we've noticed is they've gone from spray painting to writing their tags
0:30:18 > 0:30:25on stickers and sticking the stickers all over lamp columns. They're less likely to get caught.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29So it's good for them, but not good for me.
0:30:40 > 0:30:47Luckily for busy Tom, this particular clean-up job is proving to be a bit of a doddle. Or doodle!
0:30:47 > 0:30:51Either way, the residential wall is pristine again within minutes.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Well done, mate. Off to the next one.
0:30:58 > 0:31:04- Next one and then the next one and then the next.- Thanks again, Tom. I'll see you around.- No problem.
0:31:04 > 0:31:09I think we'll have some happy residents. That graffiti is now gone.
0:31:09 > 0:31:15It's not in their eyesight. Pedestrians, residents, businesses will all be happier.
0:31:20 > 0:31:26Antisocial behaviour is about a lack of human decency and disrespect for people around you.
0:31:26 > 0:31:32If someone's way of life is making yours a misery, that's as antisocial as it gets.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36But lucky enough for you and me, there are people we can turn to.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40And this series is their chance to shine.
0:31:40 > 0:31:47We're on the frontline with highly-skilled council workers, police officers and volunteers
0:31:47 > 0:31:54who are committed to keeping our streets safe and clean and taking on our antisocial battles
0:31:54 > 0:32:00to make sure that our lives are not blighted by other people's bad behaviour.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03This is Street Patrol UK.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10It's easy to exaggerate about how loud groups of young people are,
0:32:10 > 0:32:15but we mustn't forget we were all young once. Even I was, too!
0:32:15 > 0:32:20But there is a big difference between high spirits and setting out to intimidate people.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26In the picturesque tourist town of Haddington, just outside Edinburgh,
0:32:26 > 0:32:31the behaviour of a gang of youths really spiralled out of control.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35Their behaviour threatened the very livelihood of shopkeepers
0:32:35 > 0:32:39like Betty who runs the sweetshop.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43It's quite a close community, actually.
0:32:43 > 0:32:48Kids are quite friendly with each other. Never much kicks off here.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51It's quite a mellow, relaxed village.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55But things changed when some young people from outside the area
0:32:55 > 0:32:59were given temporary housing in the town.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03They started to make the high street their place to hang out.
0:33:03 > 0:33:08They seemed to take people that had got problems and transfer them onto our doorstep.
0:33:08 > 0:33:14And they become a nuisance. They all had track records, ASBO'd from elsewhere,
0:33:14 > 0:33:17put in temporary accommodation here.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22A lot of them are males aged from 18 to maybe 25.
0:33:22 > 0:33:27Young lassies, maybe 16, 17, who have got in with the crowd.
0:33:27 > 0:33:34There's groups of five upwards. Two maybe during the day, then by teatime it escalates from five to 10.
0:33:34 > 0:33:40And then it's fuelled by whatever they're taking, whether it's drugs or alcohol.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44On the high street, the youths would cause trouble,
0:33:44 > 0:33:48the younger ones pestering shoppers to buy them alcohol or cigarettes.
0:33:50 > 0:33:56They've been causing a lot of trouble outside - vocal as well as breaking things,
0:33:56 > 0:34:00throwing things around. It's unpleasant for customers.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Or you ask them to move on and you get told to...
0:34:04 > 0:34:09in rude words, go away. And this is from 12-year-olds.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14There has been an incident where several shopkeepers would not come out their shop.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20They provoke you, push you to the edge and give you filth.
0:34:20 > 0:34:27They always keep abusing us, members of the public, spit on the road, litter the place.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32Things will be strewn around and we have to clean it.
0:34:33 > 0:34:40Shiva Kumar has two shops on the high street. Both became targets for the youths.
0:34:40 > 0:34:47They congregate here or there and keep asking members of the public to buy cigarettes, alcohol.
0:34:47 > 0:34:53They keep bothering the customers. Whenever I see that happening, I take out my camera and stand in the shop
0:34:53 > 0:34:56and make sure it's in my recording.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01Over a period of months, the youths grew in confidence.
0:35:01 > 0:35:09They'll just take cans of high-powered lagers, cider, tonic wines and walk in front of us.
0:35:09 > 0:35:15In this footage, they brazenly steal a bottle of whisky from Shiva's shop.
0:35:15 > 0:35:22It was like a volcano building to go off with their behaviour in the high street.
0:35:24 > 0:35:30It was quite a busy evening, Saturday night, takeaway night, people going to the local wine shop,
0:35:30 > 0:35:37buying papers, milk, arriving back off the bus. It's quite busy on a Saturday night.
0:35:37 > 0:35:43It started at around lunchtime and was escalating, all their antics,
0:35:43 > 0:35:46shouting, screaming, abuse.
0:35:46 > 0:35:52Just outside her shop, one of the older troublemakers threatened Betty face-to-face.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56I would never ever forget his face. He was fuelled on alcohol, drugs.
0:35:56 > 0:36:03The whole top of his forehead was down, frowned, over his eyes.
0:36:03 > 0:36:09His eyes were sunken, but glazed. Growling. He was like a wee possessed animal.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14Like a dog that was on rabies. Just very intimidating.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16I'll never forget his face.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20Under siege again, the shopkeepers called the police.
0:36:20 > 0:36:27As I attended the premises down at the cafe, the guy who gave the threat in the first place,
0:36:27 > 0:36:32I told him his name was logged with the police, so he kicked off.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Spitting in my face.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41Punching me in the face, grabbing me into the stairwell.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46Obviously, my husband followed and there was kicking, punching,
0:36:46 > 0:36:50and as my husband turned round to see who was coming in the stairwell,
0:36:50 > 0:36:54the person giving the abuse assaulted my husband and headbutted him.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Not such a big man now, are you?
0:36:57 > 0:37:03The police were called. It was like something out of a drama series. It all kicked off.
0:37:03 > 0:37:10There was pepper spray, batons and police had to phone for extra back-up from other local villages.
0:37:12 > 0:37:20In the aftermath of the Saturday night, the shopkeepers helped the police take them to court.
0:37:20 > 0:37:26Betty had been severely shocked by the experience, but her local community all rallied round.
0:37:26 > 0:37:33I felt very intimidated and scared, but with the support of the community coming in
0:37:33 > 0:37:39and asking if everything was fine, other shopkeepers offering their staff to help out,
0:37:39 > 0:37:46to get over the ordeal, I came through it. With the support of the community.
0:37:50 > 0:37:56It's shocking how young people's antisocial behaviour can snowball out of control.
0:37:58 > 0:38:04St Helens in Merseyside had similar problems, leading the council to set up a team to stop bad behaviour
0:38:04 > 0:38:07at the earliest stage.
0:38:07 > 0:38:14- What are your plans for tonight? - Don't really have any.- If you have a drink, stay together and safe.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18- All right, we'll leave you to that. - Ta-ra.- Have fun.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23The aim is to engage with young people in the community.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28As you can see, it's a nice night, there's lots of people out.
0:38:28 > 0:38:35They want to enjoy themselves and have a good time. We speak about the consequences of behaviour
0:38:35 > 0:38:40which could happen later on at night and the effect on the community.
0:38:40 > 0:38:46The council wardens can take alcohol from people if they think they're getting drunk.
0:38:46 > 0:38:51The youngsters don't like it much, but they're less likely to cause trouble later.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55So what's your plan, then? McDonald's and home?
0:38:55 > 0:38:57- Oh, McDonald's, is it?- Yeah.
0:38:57 > 0:39:04This is all about making sure the town centre is a nice place for everyone.
0:39:08 > 0:39:14We're just going to say hello to the young people who are skateboarding.
0:39:14 > 0:39:20They're regular visitors to the town centre, so we've had issues of damage to street furniture
0:39:20 > 0:39:28and elderly people who come shopping in the town have raised concerns. They don't want to be knocked over.
0:39:32 > 0:39:40- What makes you come here, then? - Is it just the best area? - I've been coming here for years.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44- Right, OK.- Do you know about the new skateboard park?
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- The new one?- Yeah. - What? Not good?
0:39:48 > 0:39:53- Why? What did you want up there? - I thought it would be bigger.
0:39:53 > 0:39:59The reason why is obviously because other people use the town centre, not just you guys.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Sometimes you might cause a risk to elderly people.
0:40:03 > 0:40:09They do raise concerns about you guys. And then there's damage caused to furniture as well.
0:40:09 > 0:40:14Just be mindful of that. Yeah? Cool. Have a nice evening.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Take care.
0:40:16 > 0:40:22There's a lot of people here tonight. I wouldn't want my gran or my auntie walking through here,
0:40:22 > 0:40:26and to be intimidated by them.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30A big group is gathering on the benches in the town square.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34It's just the kind of situation that could get out of hand.
0:40:34 > 0:40:41The group behind us are openly smoking weed, so we will be ringing the police to get them to come along
0:40:41 > 0:40:43to nip it in the bud.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46There's a strong smell of cannabis.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48You can't sit here, lads.
0:40:48 > 0:40:54The police search one of the group for drugs. For the council team, it's also an opportunity
0:40:54 > 0:41:00to check that everyone is OK. They look out for anyone who might be vulnerable -
0:41:00 > 0:41:05young people in a group of older teenagers or someone getting a little too drunk.
0:41:05 > 0:41:11They can remove them from the streets, take them to a safe place and then call their parents.
0:41:11 > 0:41:18Tonight, though, the police haven't found any drugs, so the group is allowed to stay put.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22We'll keep coming back. I'll let other patrols know, PCSOs.
0:41:22 > 0:41:27I'm happy at the moment for them to remain. They've been warned.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31If they start being abusive, we will come back and move them on.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36But there are no issues if they behave and tidy up before moving on.
0:41:37 > 0:41:44Collette and her team head to the next hot spot in their mission to keep peace on the streets.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55Since we filmed with our antisocial saviours, we've got some updates.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59The fight goes on in Meriden in the West Midlands,
0:41:59 > 0:42:03where residents' lives were made a misery by travellers.
0:42:03 > 0:42:10The travellers have appealed to return to the Green Belt land and the residents must raise £20,000
0:42:10 > 0:42:16in legal fees to fight the appeal, but the Council is considering prosecuting the travellers
0:42:16 > 0:42:19for industrial scrap dealing on the site.
0:42:19 > 0:42:25In Gloucester, they're working hard to protect Greyfriars Church from future vandalism
0:42:25 > 0:42:29for the sake of the city's heritage and bank balance.
0:42:29 > 0:42:36Cleaning up and removing graffiti cost us several hundred pounds, paying a specialist contractor.
0:42:36 > 0:42:44However, the costs of the police, the courts were considerably more. Several thousand pounds at least.
0:42:44 > 0:42:49And in Haddington, where out-of-control youths terrorised the high street shops,
0:42:49 > 0:42:54a 21-year-old man who attacked sweetshop owner Betty and her husband
0:42:54 > 0:42:59admitted both assaults. He was jailed for six months.
0:42:59 > 0:43:05Another man was also jailed for six months for obstructing police work.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09That's your lot for today. See you next time.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd