THERE have been reports of people starting fires in a Cam nature reserve.

Cam Parish Council said they were 'disappointed' by people attempting to set fire to one of their nature areas. 

The parish council said in a statement: “We are so disappointed to have received reports of anti-social behaviour at the nature area, Rackleaze.

“Reports of attempted fire starting are very alarming for so many reasons. Please remind everyone you know of the dangers of fires in this type of weather.”

There has also been increased reports of anti-social behaviour near Stroud in Paganhill on Mathews Way, and in Stonehouse on Midland Road and Park Estate, according to Stroud District Council. 

Stroud’s Neighbourhood Policing Inspector, Paul Cruise said: “Nuisance behaviour of this type has an enormous impact on communities and on people’s quality of life. 

“By raising awareness of issues and encouraging people to be our eyes and ears in their communities, we will be able to better target those areas which need our support.

“This week, officers have been out with the mobile community engagement vehicle speaking with residents and patrolling hotspots where we most frequently get calls regarding anti-social behaviour.” 

It comes as Stroud District Council has recently joined a national campaign called ASB Awareness Week to encourage communities to take a stand and highlight the options available to those facing it.

Rebecca Bryant OBE, chief executive of Resolve, said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home and community.

“We need to change the way we think about ASB. It is not a low-level crime. It devastates the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime."

Michelle Elliot SDC housing manager, said: “We are achieving this by working with Inspired Services to develop easy read acceptable behaviour agreements and support documents."

“They have been drawn up by a focus group of vulnerable residents and the outcome has been that several high level ASB cases have been successfully resolved at the lowest level possible.”

A new anti-social behaviour noise app used by community safety specialists Resolve and council has already helped people in receiving Environmental Health noise notices as soon as possible.

ASB Awareness Week is being backed by the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Local Government Association (LGA), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC).

The awareness week runs from Tuesday July 19 to Monday July 25. 

For more information visit www.resolveuk.org.uk/asbawarenessweek