Introduction
As is the case every year, Christmas is fast approaching. Whilst many of us look forward to the celebrations and time with loved ones, it’s important to remember that not everyone feels this sense of excitement. For some people in our communities, Christmas brings increased worry due to the potential risk of anti-social behaviour (ASB).
In this blog, we will explore the types of ASB which may be more commonly seen at this time of year and explore the reasons behind these seasonal patterns. We’ll also share practical steps that victims and communities can take to stay safe during the holidays.
What types of ASB might increase at Christmas time?
Christmas time may bring about the following anti-social behaviour:
- Alcohol-related public disorder
- Noise nuisance e.g. from neighbour parties
- Retail related ASB e.g. abuse towards shopworkers
- Transport related ASB e.g. rowdy behaviour, vandalism, harassment of passengers
- ASB perpetrated by youths on Christmas break e.g. loitering and intimidation (even if unintentional)
Why are these behaviours seen at Christmas?
There are multiple reasons why we might see these types of behaviours at Christmas:
- More people are out in public places – you only need to look to events such as Christmas Markets taking place across the country to see how the festive period draws people into public places in droves. This increase in traffic grants more opportunities for friction to occur, especially when alcohol is involved, which brings us to our next point…
2. Higher alcohol consumption – Drinkaware found that 64% of UK drinkers intended to drink more over Christmas in 2024 than they usually did throughout the year. Research shows that alcohol consumption is linked to increased risk of anti-social behaviour perpetration. Naturally, the festive period may therefore hold risk of ASB taking place due to increased alcohol consumption.
3. Social/mental health stressors – The Christmas period can bring increased stress, from financial strain to relationship difficulties. Coupled with the reduced hours/closure of some support services over this period, tensions may rise. This could lead to increased risk of domestic-related anti-social behaviour like shouting and arguing.
What are local agencies doing to prevent ASB and protect communities?
Over the years we have seen local agencies like police forces design specific Christmas ASB/Crime prevention plans to protect communities during this period.
For example, this year, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have launched Operation North Star which is in line with the government’s ‘Winter of Action’ plan, which is similar to their recent Safer Streets Initiative.
GMP stated:
“We’re backing our frontline officers and partner agencies to be visible and proactive – preventing anti-social behaviour and crime and making our neighbourhoods places where people feel confident walking home, enjoying time with family and friends, and shopping locally.”
What is the ‘Winter of Action’ plan?
Following the Safer Streets Summer Initiative, the government has developed a similar winter plan in hopes of “keeping the momentum going and to tackle the unique challenges of the festive season”.
This will take place between 1st December 2025 and 31st January 2026.
The key themes at the centre of this initiative include:
- Retail crime
- Street crime and anti-social behaviour
- Night-time economy safety and violence against women and girls
What can we do to keep ourselves safe this Christmas?
We understand that those most vulnerable in our communities may be concerned by the risk of ASB at Christmas time. We have compiled a list of ways to keep yourself safe this Christmas, so that everyone can enjoy the festive season:
- Stay aware in busy public places – Simply being aware of your surroundings whilst in crowded areas can help you to avoid potential ASB.
- Plan safe travel routes – make sure to stick to well-lit areas and travel with others if possible. This will reduce your exposure to ASB hotspots which are likely to be poorly lit streets or late-night transport.
- Manage alcohol consumption – as we’ve discussed, alcohol can fuel a lot of Christmas time ASB. By managing your own limits, drinking water between alcoholic drinks and looking out for friends can reduce the risk of getting caught up in disorderly situations.
- Report ASB ASAP so local agencies can respond before behaviour escalates – If you see or experience ASB, make sure to:
- Call 101 for non-emergencies
- Dial 999 if you feel threatened or in danger
- Report to local agencies like your housing provider and council
- Be considerate of others – even small gestures can help to prevent tensions from growing into ASB:
- Keep music at a reasonable level
- Let neighbours know if you are hosting a party or friends
- Manage parking considerably
Visit CrimeStoppers’ website for more useful tips for staying safe when out at Christmas.
Conclusion
Everybody deserves to enjoy the Christmas season. While some level of anti-social behaviour is inevitable, taking responsibility for our own actions and supporting one another as a community can help prevent issues from escalating. By working together, we can ensure the holidays remain safe and enjoyable for all.