Anti-social behaviour

What is anti-social behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) means many things to many people. Through the 2004 audit residents have highlighted the priorities below to tackle anti-social behaviour and these are featured in the Community Safety Crime, Disorder and Drugs Strategy 2005 - 2008.

• Vehicles on footpaths
• Disorder including alcohol related
• Noise
• Rubbish, fly tipping and abandoned motor vehicles
• Harassment and hate crime

The Council delivers a range of projects to reduce anti-social behaviour in our communities, see the Community Safety Action Plan 2004 - 2007.

Anti-social behaviour ranges from acts of violence and harassment, to more ‘everyday’ incidents like noisy dogs or overgrown gardens. The concept of 'anti-social behaviour' has developed from the term 'general nuisance.'  General nuisance is often used as a ‘catch-all’ phrase to describe types of conduct or activities that could cause annoyance and interference.

The Council, in partnership with the Police, local residents and other local agencies is determined to combat anti-social behaviour on our streets. As no one should live with such problems, with our combined commitment we can make a difference.

Our definition of anti-social behaviour includes:

• all forms of violence including verbal and physical abuse and threats - whatever the motivation
• racial and other forms of harassment, including domestic violence
• criminal activity including burglary, drug dealing or using premises for unlawful purposes
• vandalism, graffiti and damage to property
• noise nuisance - noise at high levels during unreasonable hours or on a persistent basis
• other nuisances including dumping of rubbish, dog fouling, uncontrolled pets, car repairs, dangerous parking and abandoned cars

Reporting anti-social behaviour

Victims of anti-social behaviour sometimes do not report their incidents for fear of reprisal. The Council has highly experienced staff who will support you throughout the whole process. It has never been easier to report anti-social behaviour. You can report any form of anti-social behaviour through:  

• Anti-Social Behaviour Officer
• Victim Support -
  email: eastern@victimsupportherts.org.uk 
  Web: www.victimsupportherts.org.uk/services/
• Customer Service Centre – Stevenage Borough Council
• Housing Associations
• Community Team (Police)

If you want to speak to an advisor about anti-social behaviour before reporting your incident, contact either

• the Customer Service Centre - 01438 242242
• the Anti-Social Behaviour Investigation Officer - 01438 242229
• the Together Action Line - 0870 220 2000

You can also report any hate crime incident (Racial Harassment, Domestic Violence, Homophobic Crime, Faith Hate Crime) to the police or the Hate Crimes Officer on 01462 425070. The aim is to create additional and more accessible contact points across Stevenage where victims of hate crimes can report their incidents.

Are you experiencing noise nuisance?

Noise disturbance is the most common form of nuisance that housing office staff receive complaints about and will include, for example, loud music, TV, DIY, slamming doors, dogs barking, children playing, car alarms, car repairs, rowdy behaviour, etc. Whatever your problem, all complaints are taken seriously.

See the Noise Pollution page

To make a noise nuisance complaint contact Environmental Health email: envhealth@stevenage.gov.uk or telephone on 01438 242916.

Taking action

Action can be taken in a number of ways

• by contacting the Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Coordinator on 01438 242229.
• by completion of incident log sheets to log incidents of anti social behaviour as evidence that can be used to progress appropriate enforcement measures.
• by raising your concerns at any of the Local Area Committees covering your home address.
• by contacting the Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer on 01438 758613.
• by contacting your local Police Community Support Officers (PCSO).
• by contacting the Council's Customer Service Centre on 01438 242242.
• by visiting the Together Action Line's website

Anti-social behaviour orders

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) are statutory measures that aim to protect the public from behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. An order contains conditions prohibiting the offender from specific anti-social acts or entering defined areas, and is effective for minimum of 2 years. For example an ASBO may prohibit an offender from associating with other named people or from going near a house where they have caused problems.

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are civil orders made in court. They can be applied for by local authorities, police forces and by registered social landlords, but not by members of the public. They are community-based orders that involve local people in the collection of evidence and in helping to monitor breaches.

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts

An Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) is a voluntary written agreement between a person who has been involved in anti-social behaviour and one or more local agencies whose role it is to prevent such behaviour (e.g. police and housing). Although the contracts are most commonly used for young people, they may also be used for adults. The contract specifies a list of anti-social acts in which the person has been involved and that they agree not to continue. The threat of legal action provides an incentive to ensure that the Acceptable Behavior Contract is adhered to.