Anti-social behaviour leaflet

Legal action

We will use legal remedies when a case is ongoing, persistent and previous action has not been adhered to.

Community Protection Warning (CPW)

Is a warning notice which outlines conditions and sanction that will be served by way of CPN if behaviours outlined within do not change.

Community Protection Notice (CPN) is served when the requirements outlined in the warning are not adhered to. CPN breaches must be proven to the criminal standard of proof.

Injunction

This is a court order to either prevent an individual from carrying out specific actions or requires them to take a positive remedy.

Serve a notice of seeking prossession

This action can only be taken when all else has failed. This may require the complainent to give evidence in court.

Community trigger

The Community Trigger is a mechanism for victims of persistent ASB, who have reported 3 or more incidents within a 6 month period and feel the case has not been addressed.

It is the victims responsibility to request the trigger through the local authority. The process involves a multi-agency case review with an independent Chair. Further information on the Community Trigger can be found on our website www.homesinsedgemoor.org.

Closing your case

Before your case is closed, you will be contacted by your Housing Officer to discuss case closure. At this point, all action taken throughout the case will be outlined and this will be followed up in a letter. Prior to case closure, your case will be reviewed by the Housing Team Leader to ensure all appropriate action has been taken in order to resolve the case.

Please be reassured that if the case has been closed and the ASB starts again, your Housing Officer can reopen the case at any point. Previous information and evidence can be used again if the case is reopened.

Feedback

When we close the case we will ask you for feedback about how you felt we handled your report. This is to help improve our service to you and other customers.

How can I report ASB?

customer.services@homesinsedgemoor.org

Anti-Social Behaviour Leaflet

Everything you need to know about ASB and the processes involved if you are a victim.

What is Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)?

Conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person, conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person’s occupation of residential premises, or conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person.

The behaviour must be ongoing and persistent. Anyone can be a victim of ASB, regardless of age or gender.

What is classed as ASB?

Loud music/noise

Illegal drug taking/ dealing

Verbal abuse

Graffiti

Violence or threats of violence

Harassment

Hate crime

Intimidation

Criminal damage

Animal related nuisance

Aggressive language

What is not classed as ASB?

Noise from normal living

noisy appliances

Cooking smells

Bonfires

Children playing

DIY

Minor personal disputes

Should I speak to my neighbour?

Your neighbour may not be aware they are causing a nuisance therefore, in some cases, approaching your neighbour before raising a case with us may be the best course of action.

Remember

Remain calm

Listen carefully

Do not shout

Explain your point

Remove yourself from the situation if you feel your neighbour is not listening

You should never retaliate or fight back if your neighbour causes you nuisance.

What will happen when I report ASB to Homes in Sedgemoor?

Homes in Sedgemoor are committed to tackling ASB.

All of your information will be taken at first point of contact. This information will be passed to your Housing Officer.

All reports are reviewed and assessed, a decision will be made whether or not a case will be opened or added to an existing case. Cases will be responded within the agreed timeframes at either High or Standard response times depending on the type of Anti-Social Behaviour reported.

High 24-48 hours: threats to cause harm

Hate crime

County lines/cuckooing

extreme loud noise

Standard 3-5days

verbal abuse

drug or alcohol abuse impacting the wider community

loud music/noise

Your Housing Officer will then contact you to discuss the complaint and agree an action plan. You will receive a copy of the agreed action plan within 7 days. You will be contacted as often as required, at least once every fortnight.

Early intervention

What we can do to try and resolve issues before they get worse.

Mediation

Home visits

Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC)

Written warnings

Referral to support services

Noise monitoring equipment referral

Review of your case

All ASB cases are reviewed by the appropraite Housing Team Leader and Housing Officer on a regular basis.