Anti-social behaviour is behaviour by one person or group of people that unreasonable interferes with the quality of life of someone else.

Examples of anti-social behaviour include:

• Noise (for example, regular loud parties, shouting, noise from televisions and music systems, and noise from pets);
• Dumping rubbish (fly tipping)
• Nuisance from vehicles (for example, illegal parking);
• Graffiti
• Using our properties to sell drugs or other illegal purposes;
• Aggressive and threatening language and behaviour; and
• Actual violence against people and damage to property

If you experience anti-social behaviour

First of all, try sorting out the problem yourself. Although you may feel that someone is behaving unreasonably, that person may not be aware that their behaviour is affecting anyone else. If you explain politely how it affects you, it may be enough for them to stop causing the nuisance.

If this does not work, or if you feel that you cannot do this, you should contact us. If you have a support worker, you can also tell them about your problem.

It will help if you start to collect evidence of what has happened. For example:

• Write down times, dates and details of incidents. We can loan you a tape recorder if you have difficulty doing this.
• Take photographs of any physical evidence, if you can; and
• Ask your neighbours if they are affected and, if so, ask them to keep a record too.

We will contact you within the timescales below to make an appointment to discuss your complaint. (If the activity is of  criminal nature you should report it to the police first).

• Violence and harassment – 2 working days
• Noise and criminal activity – 5 working days
• Gardens, pets and vehicles etc – 10 working days

If you are complaining about graffiti, rubbish, dogs or vehicles we may pass your complaint to the local council or the police or you may want to contact them yourself.

If you cause anti-social behaviour

If we have to contact you because of complaints about anti-social behaviour we will listen to your point of view before deciding what action to take. If we believe that you are causing a problem we will give you a warning and give you a chance to change your behaviour. If you do not do so we will take more formal action against you.

Respect standard

We have signed up to the ‘Respect Standard for Housing Management. In signing up to the standard we must meet and deliver on six specific commitments:

• Accountability, leadership and commitment
• Empowering and re-assuring residents
• Prevention and early intervention
• Tailored services for residents and provision of support for victims and witnesses.
• Protecting communities through swift enforcement
• Support to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour

You can read more about the standard here

Multi-agency partnerships

We are a member of the Hambleton Community Safety Partnership and are represented on the Board along with the Police, District & County Councils, the Primary Care Trust, Fire & Rescue Services and the Probation Service.  We make a financial contribution to the Partnership in recognition of the benefits that the Partnership brings to the communities in which we work.  We are actively involved with the Partnership in a number of initiatives to prevent and deal with anti-social behaviour, for example the Respect Walkabouts and Street Safe Services.

Regular problem solving groups are convened by the partnership which identify the source of anti-social behaviour and then ensure a multi-agency approach to resolve the issues.  Such an approach also takes place in Richmondshire, Scarborough and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

We also work directly with agencies such as the Police, Environmental Health & Social Services particularly where they have powers to take specific action.

Neighbourhood Watch Schemes

We actively support Neighbourhood Watch schemes. For information on setting up a neighbourhood watch group please visit:

http://www.neighbourhoodwatch.net/

Contact: Lee Godfrey

Phone: 01609 767900

Email: Lee Godfrey