This month, we will be focusing on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in light of Anti-Social Behaviour week 18th-24th November 2024. 

What is Anti-Social Behaviour?

The Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 defines ASB as:

  • Conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to any person
  • Conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to their occupation of residential premises; or
  • Conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person 

Housing Solutions categorises Antisocial Behaviour into the following two types;

Personal:  

  • Hate-related incidents 
  • Physical violence or serious threats of violence 
  • Ongoing harassment or intimidation, including stalking or bullying 
  • Cuckooing 
  • Targeted criminal damage or arson 
  • Aggression by animals towards people 
  • Serious Criminal Offences (as defined within the Housing Act 1985):  

Nuisance:

  • Criminal damage to communal areas or property 
  • Drug misuse in communal areas 
  • Drug dealing and supply 
  • Serious or sustained noise nuisance 
  • Sustained animal-related nuisance 
  • Prostitution or sexual activity in public places 
  • Unlawful behaviour 
  • Sustained breaches of tenancy related to ASB   

Are Neighbourhood Issues considered ASB?

Some environmental issues fall outside our ASB policy and are dealt with under Neighbourhood Management. These are handled through early action and self-help. Examples include: 

• Untidy gardens 

• Noise nuisance which is not deliberate or targeted  

• Graffiti  

• Neighbour Disputes  

• Misuse of communal areas 

• Animal / Pet nuisance 

• CCTV nuisance 

• Littering & fly tipping 

• Vehicle nuisance including abandoned vehicles 

The Housing Solutions Community Safety Team

Housing Solutions has made a change to the job title of the ASB Officers to Community Safety Officers. This change has been made in line with feedback from our victims and perpetrators, as it has been reported that the previous job title implied enforcement rather than help and support. We will always look to offer help and support as part of our pre-legal interventions. 

The feedback regarding this change has been positive and we have seen an increase of Anti-Social Behaviour and Domestic Abuse being reported to Housing Solutions. 

We are working hard behind the scenes to increase our visibility on our estates, especially in the areas where we have received few reports of ASB or Domestic Abuse, as we don’t want to assume that it is not happening, even though it is not being reported. We can only help resolve ASB and Domestic Abuse if we are receiving reports. 


We are thrilled to announce that our Community Safety Team has been shortlisted for the prestigious Resolve Team of the Year award!  

These national awards received over 100 nominations in each category, and our team has made it to the final 8 in the UK. This remarkable recognition highlights their exceptional dedication, skill, and contributions to resolving anti-social behaviour (ASB) and creating communities that residents are proud to call home.

 

How to report Anti-Social Behaviour to us;

  • You can report ASB to us via calling the contact centre on 01628 543101
  • You can report ASB to us via our website here.
  • You can email Community.safety@houisngsolutions.co.uk