There has been a spike in the number of reports of anti-social behaviour in Bexley in the last six months.

Referrals to the council’s specialist Anti-Social Behaviour Prevention Panel have gone up since October, according to a new report.

Referrals are made by other agencies for the panel to decide what action will be taken.

The panel had 44 referrals between October and March, an increase on the previous period.

Peter Craske, portfolio holder for Community Safety Regeneration and leisure, said: “The increase in anti-social behaviour referrals are for a number of reasons and can be due to agencies being more proactive in referring for both reported or unreported issues,  and also reflect where the Community Safety Team have been being working proactively with agencies or communities in key areas to solve particular ASB problems and have encouraged referrals to be made.”

According to a report by the leader of the council, which will be heard by councillors this week: “Referrals to the Anti-Social Behaviour Prevention panel increased over the last six months with 44 referrals between October 2017 and March 2018.

“It is positive that agencies are recognising the need to make referrals so that relevant action can be taken.”

During this period, the panel issued eight anti-social behaviour contracts, nine Community Protection Warnings and seven Community Protection Notices.

This comes as council chiefs gave the go ahead to a new rogue landlord crackdown that will also tackle anti-social behaviour in the worst affected areas.

The areas included in the crackdown are Erith, Thamesmead North, Abbey Wood and Manor Road.