Anti-social behaviour

The Council’s Community Safety Team is situated within the Council's Regulatory Services Department and has a dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Officer, who is the central point of contact for all reports of anti-social behaviour made to the Council.

• What is anti-social behaviour?
• What is not considered as anti-social behaviour?
• How can I find out more?
• How is the council is tackling anti-social behaviour?
• How can I report anti-social behaviour?
  

What is anti-social behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour is very subjective and what one person perceives as anti-social another may not.  Anti-social behaviour if left unchecked can lead to neighbourhood decline whilst seriously damaging the quality of life for people who are directly or indirectly affected.

The legal definition of anti-social behaviour is:

"behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as him or herself" (Crime and Disorder Act 1998 - this is an external hyperlink). 

Some examples of anti-social behaviour include the following: 

(These are examples only and should not be considered as a complete list) 

• Intimidating gatherings of people in public places where there is persistent unruly behaviour
• Harassment (including racist and homophobic incidents)
• Verbal abuse
• Aggressive and intimidating behaviour
• Drunk and disorderly behaviour
• Damage to property (including graffiti and vandalism)
• Excessive noise

Irrespective of the type of behaviour concerned,  the main test is that there is a pattern of behaviour which continues over a period of time which causes harassment, alarm or distress.

 

What is not considered as anti-social behaviour?

The Council will not be able to assist with all reports of anti-social behaviour unless they are accompanied by the types of behaviour detailed above. Examples include:

• People playing football
• People gathering in a group in a public place
• Disputes between neighbours
• One off events e.g. A household party 

It is important to note that the Community Safety Team, who deal with the majority of anti-social behaviour cases, will often have the difficult task of balancing one person’s perspective of what is deemed as ‘reasonable and acceptable behaviour’ with another’s. 

Further information:

The following website will give you more information on anti social behaviour:

• www.respect.gov.uk (this is an external hyperlink)

 

Back to main page