Help and advice with sharing FixASB issues

You may worry about drawing attention to yourself, upsetting someone, causing conflict, or simply feel uncomfortable asking other people to support something you have seen or reported.

That is completely understandable. But sharing a FixASB issue does not need to mean confronting anyone or making accusations. It can simply mean letting other people know that a problem has been recorded and giving them the opportunity to add their support.

The more people who independently recognise that an issue is affecting an area, the easier it can be to demonstrate that it is persistent, significant and worth addressing.

Start with people you know

Friends, neighbours and other local people you know are often the easiest place to start.

You might send the FixASB link to a neighbour you know has also noticed the problem, mention it in a residents' WhatsApp group, or simply share it with somebody while discussing what has been happening locally.

You do not need to persuade anyone to agree with you. A simple message such as “This is on FixASB in case you've noticed it too” may be enough.

People can then look at the issue for themselves and decide whether they want to add their voice.

Share with local groups

Many communities have Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, Nextdoor communities, residents' associations or other online and offline forums.

These can be useful places to share a FixASB issue, particularly where the problem affects a park, street, shopping area or other shared space.

Keep your post calm and factual. Explain what the issue is, provide the FixASB link and invite people who have also experienced or witnessed it to contribute.

Many online community groups also allow users to post anonymously, often subject to approval from an administrator or moderator. If you would feel more comfortable not having your name attached to the post, it is worth checking whether the group you are using offers this option.

You might also want to ask somebody else to share the issue on your behalf. A friend, neighbour or community representative could post something as simple as:

“A friend of mine has asked that I post this issue in case others are affected and wish to add their voice.”

This can be particularly helpful if you are nervous about drawing attention to yourself but still want other people who are experiencing the same problem to know that the issue has been raised.

Avoid speculation about who may be responsible and do not publish personal information about individuals. The aim is to build a clearer picture of the problem, not to start an online dispute.

Remember to follow the rules of whichever group you are posting in.

You do not have to share publicly

Posting on social media is not essential.

If you would rather not make a public post, you can share your FixASB issue privately with a handful of people who may be affected. Those people can choose whether to pass it on further.

Sometimes a few direct conversations are more useful than a widely shared social media post.

You should feel under no obligation to share your issue at all, but FixASB does require someone to add their voice to an issue for it to trigger authority notifications. If a trusted friend, neighbour or family member has witnessed the issue, consider asking them directly to add their voice to the issue.

Focus on the place and the problem

It can help to frame your issue around the effect it is having on a shared space.

For example, rather than focusing on a particular individual, explain that repeated behaviour is making a park difficult to use, disturbing residents at night or leaving an area damaged or unpleasant.

This keeps attention where it belongs: on understanding the problem and encouraging an appropriate response.

Don't put yourself at risk

You should never feel that sharing a FixASB issue requires you to confront somebody responsible for anti-social behaviour.

If you are concerned about retaliation or confrontation, avoid engaging directly with those involved. Share information only in ways you feel comfortable with and remember that immediate threats, crimes in progress or emergencies should be reported to 999.

Trust your judgement. There is nothing wrong with deciding that a particular group, forum or individual is not an appropriate place to share an issue.

Sharing can make a difference

Persistent problems are sometimes difficult for authorities to understand when they appear as isolated complaints.

By sharing a FixASB issue, you can help other people affected by the same problem find one another and contribute to a clearer, cumulative picture of what is happening.

You do not need to become a campaigner, confront anybody or put yourself at the centre of the issue.