This page provides information, advice and guidance around addressing
anti-social behaviour.
Anti-social Behaviour is unacceptable behaviour that can upset people's
lives, interfering with the peaceful enjoyment of the home and surrounding
area.
The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 defines anti-social behaviour as behaving 'in
a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one
or more persons not of the same household as himself'.
Anti-social behaviour covers a wide range of actions from low level nuisance
to criminal behaviour, often in the form of harassment or intimidation; broadly
it is broken down into seven types of behaviour:
-
Vandalism graffiti and other deliberate damage to property
-
Teenagers hanging around on the streets
-
Rubbish or litter
-
Drug use and dealing
-
Drunk or rowdy behaviour
-
Noisy neighbours
-
Abandoned or burnt out cars / vehicles
Click on the following text to view leaflets for; flytipping,
abandoned vehicles and dog fouling
Top Tips for preventing and reducing Anti-social
Behaviour
Get to know your neighbours:
- Welcome new neighbours to the area when they move in, try and make them feel
like they belong and take the time to introduce yourself if you move to a new
area.
- See what's on at your local community centre. Residents meetings are often
called by Housing Associations or resident groups. The Community Safety
Partnership also runs Neighbourhood Forum meetings every six months.
Join Neighbourhood Watch:
- Neighbourhood Watch is a great way of getting your neighbours together to
find solutions to problems. Streets with active schemes can have fewer probelms
with crime and anti-social behaviour than others. Call 023 9252
2439 to find out more.
- If you have any problems with an individual or family, there are a few
things you can try. A better outcome will usually be achieved if things can be
resolved amicably rather than by taking formal action, particularly as disputes
often start with a misunderstanding or difference in lifestyle and expectations
of others.
Identify the problem:
- Be clear in your own mind about what is happening, how often and what effect
it is having on you and your family. Ask yourself: is it a one off or a
persistent problem? Is it a difference in lifestyle? Is the behaviour
unreasonable by most people's standards?
Discuss the situation:
- If you know who they are, try to talk to the person or parent about the
behaviour and the impact it is having. They may not realise there is a
problem. Take time to think about how you are going to approach them. Be
polite and take time to listen to their point of view. Most importantly - stay
calm.
Put it in writing:
- If talks break down completely or you feel threatened, it may help to put
any concerns in writing. A polite typed letter outlining what is happening and
why it is a problem for you can give them time to think about the impact of
their behaviour. Take plenty of time to write the letter and keep a copy.
Find a Mediator:
- If you are unable to resolve the issue yourselves, an independent mediator
can help. Local options include Portsmouth Mediation Service 023 9243
1352 and NFS (New Forest Mediation) 023 8033 1456.
Contact Victim Support:
The National Neighbourhood Watch website has a number of helpful videos which
provide practical advice on how to prevent or resolve a potential dispute
between neighbours. An example can be found at: http://www.neighbourhoodwatch.net/index.php?func=PageResourceStory&Type=Resource&StoryId=320
How do I report Anti-social Behaviour?
If you have tried the 'top tips' and things do not improve, it is important
that you report the anti-social behaviour when it occurs. The Council, Housing
providers and Police need evidence of what is happening so keeping a record of
the problems is important. Anti-social behaviour incident recording logs can be
accessed here: asb incident reporting log
all incidents of anti-social behaviour can be reported by calling the
non-emergency Police telephone number by dialling 101
-
In cases of an emergency such as when there is a risk of harm
call 999.
In addition it is important that you contact your housing provider (if
applicable) to inform them of any anti-social behaviour you are
experiencing.
-
If you are a Council tenant - you can contact your housing officer (please
see contact list below)
-
If you are a Housing Association tenant - you can contact your housing
association housing officer (please see contact list below)
-
If you rent from a private landlord - you can contact your landlord
-
If you own your home, the problem should be reported through
101. If you require additional help or guidance you can also
contact the Community Safety Team at Gosport Borough Council by emailing communitysafety@gosport.gov.uk
Contact details of housing providers in the borough of Gosport follow:
-
Gosport Borough Council - 023 9258 4242 (ask for duty
housing officer) or email: housing.officers@gosport.gov.uk
-
A2Dominion Housing Association - 023 9258 0658
-
Radian Housing Association (formerly DRUM Housing)- 017 3040
3200
-
First Wessex Housing Association (formerly PHA) - 023 9250
5787
-
Hermitage Housing - 023 9279 4500
-
Housing 21 - 0870 1924 317
-
Home Housing - 0845 606 6540
Other useful contacts:
- Threats of violence/risk to life - you must contact the Police immediately
on 999
- Noise Nuisance - Environmental Health on 023 9254 5515
- Criminal Damage - Police 101 / 0845 045
4545
- Play park issues - Leisure department 023 9254 5605
- Victim Support - 0845 0703 002
- Neighbourhood Watch - please email Carol at newswatch@gosportnhw.co.uk to
request the contact details of your local neighbourhood watch coordinator.
Call Streetscene on 0800 0 198 598 to report:
- Graffiti
- Dog fouling
- Abandoned vehicles
- Fly tipping
- Fly posting
On receiving a report from a member of the public, members of the Community
Safety Partnership will:
- treat you with respect and listen to you
- provide confidential advice and assistance
- possibly ask for your assistance in completing anti-social behaviour/ noise
recording logs
- may contact partner agencies to obtain or share information
- take appropriate action to deal with the person causing the problem
Measures that can be used by the Community Safety Partnership, including the
Police, Council and Housing providers:
- warning letters and interviews, contracts and agreements
- community agreements
- family intervention projects, parenting contracts/programmes/orders
- fixed penalty notices and penalty notices for disorder
- noise abatement notices, injunctions, dispersal powers and anti-social
behaviour orders (ASBO's)
- 'crack house' closure orders
- possession proceedings against a tenant, demotion orders
- premises closure order
If you would like to find out more about some of the tools and powers
available please click on the links below:
