Anti-Social Behaviour

What is anti-social behaviour?

The Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 defines anti-social behaviour as:

“Behaviour likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress to any person."

This covers a wide range of unacceptable behaviour that can have a negative effect on an individual or the wider community the Council look to resolve.

Examples of anti-social behaviour:

• Street drinking, begging and associated negative behaviour.
• Youth related anti-social behaviour.
• Neighbour nuisance
• Fly posting.

What is not classed as anti-social behaviour:

• Children playing in the street/in gardens.
• Young people gathering socially.
• Being unable to park outside your own home.
• A clash of lifestyles including cultural differences or different working patterns
• A one-off party or event
• General living noise
• Criminal activity such as drugs/violence
• Planning disputes

Who do I contact if I am affected?

It is important you report anti-social behaviour to the agencies best equipped to deal with your concerns:

All criminal behaviour including drug use and drug dealing, threats, violence and harassment should be reported to the Police. If it is an emergency, then call 999, in a non-emergency situation you can contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or online at Warwickshire Police - Report anti-social behaviour

If you live in a social housing property or are affected by someone living in a social housing property, please contact the relevant housing association, contact details can be found below:

• Orbit Housing
• Bromford Housing
• Sage Housing
• Platform Housing

If you want to report music, noise nuisance, or persistent dog barking please report it to our Environmental Health Team

This Council is responsible for co-ordinating action to tackle anti-social behaviour. Two Anti-Social Behaviour Officers are employed in Stratford-on-Avon District Council.

You can report your concerns online here or phone Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Contact Centre on: 01789 267575

What minimum standard of service can I expect?

The Council is dedicated to a multi-agency approach to reducing the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour and the fear of anti-social behaviour.

We will ensure that:

• Reports of anti-social behaviour are treated seriously, and all individuals are treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• Victims of anti-social behaviour are given as much support as possible, and where appropriate referred to support agencies.
• Where appropriate, offenders are offered support to help change their behaviour.
• Anti-social behaviour reports are recorded and investigated, where appropriate, and victims and witnesses are kept informed of key actions.
• We deal promptly and effectively with any problem reported to us or we pass it to an organisation that we consider may be more effective in resolving the issue.
• All relevant agencies co-operate in addressing any issues of anti-social behaviour; sharing information where necessary and appropriate while adopting a multi-agency problem-solving approach.
• We adopt an early intervention approach, and we work together with all other agencies, making full use of the tools and powers available to us.

What action can be taken?

In South Warwickshire, we believe in the effectiveness of early intervention and operate a tiered response tailored to the particular circumstances of the anti-social behaviour. We employ a wide range of interventions that have proved effective in addressing anti-social behaviour, the most common of which are:

• Advisory and warning letters that are sent to perpetrators or their guardians outlining the unacceptable behaviour and warning that further action will follow should the behaviour continue.
• Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC's): voluntary but formal documents signed by the perpetrator committing to stop behaving in an unacceptable way.
• Community Protection Notices (CPN), to stop the conduct of an individual or body having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.
• Civil Injunctions, to stop a person responsible from engaging in anti-social behaviour to any person.
• Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO): the offender has caused anti-social behaviour and been convicted of a criminal offence.

Mediation and Conflict Coaching (Neighbour/Civil Disputes)

Mediation is another way of resolving conflicts or disputes where the people involved want to find their own mutually agreed solutions with the help of impartial mediators.

Mediation is a voluntary process, which produces practical, workable, and realistic future focussed solutions. The process includes a visit to each party and then a joint meeting.

Benefits of mediation

• Mediators are impartial; they won't take sides, decide who is right or wrong, or who is to blame
• Mediation is confidential and nothing said will be shared with anyone else, including Council or Police
• Mediation focuses on improving understanding and communication between people in conflict.
• It can help those involved gain a better appreciation of the issues, resulting in improved relationships between them.

Conflict Coaching

In addition to mediation, you may consider 'Conflict Coaching'. 'Conflict Coaching' was developed from mediation as an answer to how to help a single party when the other party did not want to take part. Conflict Coaching is a 'one-to-one', confidential, impartial service involving just the client and the Coach for individuals who are experiencing difficulties as a result of an unresolved dispute, a complaint, a relationship breakdown, anger management issues, experiences of ASB or other difficult situations they are involved in.

Benefits of Conflict Coaching

• It gives a constructive experience, using the tools with the coach and provides a handy guide for them to pick up at any time
• It helps to deal with conflict constructively and resolve it without recalling it.
• When an individuals responses have been destructive or ineffective, Conflict Coaching supports them in creating a more effective response.

Mediation and Conflict Coaching focus on improving understanding and communication between people in conflict. It can help those involved gain a better appreciation of the issues, resulting in improved relationships between them. There is little risk as parties only settle when they are satisfied with the agreement. Mediation and conflict coaching provide opportunities to work in a positive and constructive way, help to reduce hostility and improve the chances of long-term solutions. The processes allows people to create a completely flexible and bespoke agreement tailored to fit their unique situation.

Both Mediation and Conflict Coaching are provided free of charge by an independent service, Mediation and Community Support (MACS) who can be contacted directly on 07594653530 and admin@mediationsupport.org.uk , or complete the online ASB reporting form requesting a referral for mediation/Conflict coaching.