Case review (community trigger)
We are committed to responding to, and combating:
- anti-social behaviour (ASB)
- hate motivated incidents
We work in partnership with the police, housing providers, other organisations and communities to tackle ASB and hate incidents.
We want to get it right first time, but we recognise that sometimes we don’t.
The ASB case review (called the community trigger) gives victims and communities the right to expect action, if an ongoing problem is not being addressed.
When can I use the community trigger?
- When you have reported three separate incidents relating to the same problem in the past six months to the council, police and/or your landlord and the problem persists because of no, or inadequate responses from us, and you feel ignored.
- When you have reported an incident or crime motivated by hate, due to race; religion; disability; sexual orientation; transgender identity; age; sex; marriage/civil partnership; pregnancy or maternity in the last six months and the problem still persists because of no, or inadequate responses from us.
- When at least five people have made reports about the same problem, in the past six months to the council; police; your landlord and the problem persists because of no or inadequate response from us.
Who can use the community trigger?
Anyone can use the community trigger if their concern meets the criteria above, and is about ASB or a hate incident/crime
When can't the community trigger be used?
If you have reported ASB and received a service but are unhappy with the service received or action taken. In this case you be asked to submit a complaint under the relevant agency’s complaints procedures.
How do I use the community trigger?
If you think that your issue or concern is relevant to the community trigger and meets the criteria, visit the Durham Police and Crime Commissioners website [external link] and request a review
You can also request a community trigger by:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0191 3752001
Post:
Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review
Durham Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office
Police Headquarters
Aykley Heads
Durham
DH1 5TT
What will happen next?
Community triggers are co-ordinated by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner who will:
- acknowledge receipt of your request
- contact you to discuss your case and obtain further information
- liaise with the relevant community safety partnerships
- Share information with agencies who are responsible for managing ASB
- Record and publish relevant data relating to community triggers.
If the threshold is met, you will be offered support from the victims care and advice service, who will be able to guide you through the process. An independent chair will be appointed to lead a multi-agency case review which will be held within 10 working days after confirmation of the threshold being met.
The case review will bring together relevant agencies to take a joined up, problem-solving approach to find a solution. They will share relevant information related to your case, review what action has been previously taken and decide further actions and timescales.
You or your representative will be given the opportunity to attend the opening section of the case review meeting to say what you would like to happen and to ensure all members of the panel understand the level of harm and impact. If you are unable, or do not wish, to attend the case review you can provide a written statement which will be read out.
Following the meeting an action plan will be produced (including timescales) and you will be provided with a written copy, within five working days.
If you remain dissatisfied, you will have up to 14 days following the completion of your action plan in which to appeal.
Appeals
Following your community trigger, if you remain dissatisfied about the decision on whether the threshold was met, or the way in which the case review was carried out you have the right to appeal. You have up to 14 days following the completion of your action plan in which to appeal.
To lodge an appeal, you must set out your reasons for your appeal in writing to the Police and Crime Commissioner. You can do this by:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0191 3752001
Post:
Appeals
Durham Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office
Police Headquarters
Aykley Heads
Durham
DH1 5TT
ASB case review appeals are an independent process and will be heard by an independent panel made up of public representatives appointed by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Upon on receipt of your appeal it will be referred to the panel chair who will decide if you qualify for an appeal hearing. They will notify you in writing within 14 days of their decision with (where appropriate) the hearing date.
Where your appeal qualifies, it will be heard by the independent panel and both you (or your representative) and representative/s from the original case review will be invited to put your views forward to the panel.
The panel will:
- acknowledge receipt of your case review request
- contact you to discuss your case and obtain further information
- liaise with the relevant community safety partnerships
- share information with agencies who are responsible for managing ASB
- Record and publish relevant data relating to ASB case reviews.
If the threshold is met, you will be offered support from the victims care and advice service, who will be able to guide you through the process. An independent chair will be appointed to lead a multi-agency case review which will be held within 10 working days after confirmation of the threshold being met. The case review will bring together relevant agencies to take a joined up, problem-solving approach to find a solution.
They will share relevant information related to your case, review what action has been previously taken and decide further actions and timescales.
The panel will take into consideration the impact and persistency of the ASB in determining their decision. They will also consider whether the case review panel included all partners, what has been considered and if more could be done.
The panel hold powers for three outcomes:
- to uphold the appeal and request further action
- to comment on the appeal process and make recommendations for improvement (on the process only)
- to overturn the appeal.
Where the panel upholds the appeal and requests further action, this may take the form of providing additional information, undertaking another case review in part or whole, or being asked to consider alternative actions.
If you are unable to be present at the hearing, you will be notified of the outcome of the appeal in writing within 14 days of the hearing detailing the rationale for the decision.