Antisocial Behaviour from your Neighbours

Anti-social behaviour can put a tremendous amount of strain on people and, if left unchecked, it can ruin a community all too soon with disputes between neighbours being a common problem. There are a whole range of laws governing antisocial behaviour which can lead to legal action being taken against the perpetrator(s).

Antisocial Problems

Anti-social behaviour can include a whole range of issues. These can include problems with:

• Noisy neighbours
• Drug taking and drinking on the streets
• Pets – particularly dangerous dogs and barking dogs
• Litter and graffiti
• Vandalism
• Racism,/li>
• Teenage gangs or other forms of intimidating groups or individuals such as young and unruly children
• Abandoned cars
• Fly tipping

However, it’s important to remember that in certain instances, antisocial behaviour can mean entirely different things to different people. As neighbours, it’s always necessary to realise that we will often have different values, beliefs and opinions and so what someone might object to and see as ‘antisocial behaviour’ may not be covered by any of the legislation. For example, if you like to mow your lawn every week but your next door neighbours takes a more relaxed attitude towards keeping on top of their garden and only mows it every month or so, then that wouldn’t be classed as anti-social behaviour under the current legislation.

How To Tackle Antisocial Behaviour

There are numerous different approaches to tackling antisocial behaviour involving neighbours living close by. The action to take will often be determined by the type of behaviour involved and the person(s) causing the problem. For example, how you deal with your next door neighbour who is playing their music too loudly after midnight is likely to be very different from how you’d tackle the problem of a gang of teenage youths jumping on top of cars in the street. In certain situations, you may feel that the problem is serious enough to dial 999 for the police or, at the other end of the scale, you might be able to resolve the problem by having an amicable conversation with a neighbour as much of the time – noise being an obvious example – neighbours may not even be aware that they are causing a problem.

In other circumstances however, your best course of action is likely to involve contacting the relevant department within your local authority or alternatively, getting in touch with your local anti-social behaviour co-ordinator who is likely to be a member of your local police force. You can find out who that is on the Home Office’s website by simply inputting your postcode. Within that website, there are also details about how you can also contact your local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Representative.

What Happens Next?

If your complaint is investigated, you may be asked to gather evidence by the anti-social behaviour team which might include keeping a diary or log of the offending behaviour. Depending upon the seriousness of the issue, the police may be called in straight away. Should a particular case go to court, you may also be asked to give evidence.

What About Possible Reprisals?

Many people who are asked to testify against their neighbours in court are frightened to do so for fear of reprisals. However, it can be arranged for you to give evidence anonymously. Also, a police officer, a doctor, health worker, council official or teacher can also give evidence on your behalf if you feel particularly vulnerable.

Other Solutions

In many cases of anti-social behaviour involving neighbours or other members of the community, a resolution can often be obtained before the matter even gets to court. Official warning letters and interviews can sometimes be sufficient to stop the problem but other methods include drawing up Acceptable Behaviour Agreements or Parenting Contracts as well as Fixed Penalty Notices and Noise Abatement Notices. The courts also have the power to issue Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and can resort to other methods such as dispersal orders, ‘crack house’ closures and demoted tenancies, for example.

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