What is anti-social behaviour?
The term ‘Anti-Social Behaviour’ covers any kind of nuisance, unreasonable behaviour or harassment. It also includes serious criminal activity. It has been defined as:
‘Any conduct of a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as the person who has acted thus’.
Housing Services is committed to working with its tenants to stop harassment and other forms of anti-social behaviour. The Council’s Tenancy Agreement describes anti-social behaviour as:
‘Behaviour that is likely to cause nuisance and harassment to others residing in, visiting or offering services in the locality’.
It is important to be tolerant of other people's lifestyles and to make an effort to get on with neighbours.
Behaviour that results from different lifestyles, or which would not be considered unreasonable by most people is not anti social.
The Council’s aim is to prevent the occurrence of anti-social behaviour and nuisance on its estates so that they remain safe environments where people choose to live.
We will respond to nuisance and harassment quickly and effectively and will make every effort to resolve such situations at the earliest opportunity. If we receive a report that nuisance/harassment has taken place we will:
- Make sure that all complaints are taken seriously.
- Encourage those who are experiencing nuisance/harassment to play a full part in actions taken to deal with it. Their views will be taken into account in reaching decisions on courses of action and they will be kept informed of progress and also supported during any legal proceedings that may take place.
- Take firm and prompt actions against perpetrators, wherever appropriate and work with partner agencies to support victims in their homes.
- With the victims consent, work with other agencies wherever appropriate, to achieve a speedy resolution.