21 November 2008Working Together To Reduce Anti-Social Behaviour
Dealing with anti-social behaviour is a high priority for many residents in the District. The Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership (SDCSP) works together to address anti-social behaviour and the important part that residents can play in tackling the problems that affect their communities. The Partnership has recently published an anti-social behaviour policy (
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What exactly is anti-social behaviour?
The Crime & Disorder Act 1998 defines anti-social behaviour as "behaviour that is likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress to one or more persons not of the same household"
Whilst the term anti-social behaviour is a recent addition to our every day language, many of the behaviours it describes are not new. There are many types of behaviour that could be deemed as being anti-social. Different types of behaviour will have differing levels of impact where and when it is conducted.
Examples include:
Misuse of public space: e.g. drugs, abandoned cars, joyriding, off road motorcyclin
Disregard for community: e.g. rowdy behaviour, shouting & swearing, hoax call
Acts directed at people: e.g. groups or individuals making threats, verbal abuse, bullying
Environmental Damage: e.g. graffiti, damage to street furniture, fly-tipping
What Should I do
Report it
If you are suffering from anti-social behaviour it is important that you report problems. You can report problems to the Police, the District Council or your Housing Association.
Information is treated in confidence, and your name and address will not be passed to those believed to be causing the anti-social behaviour.
If the problem is an emergency or life threatening you should always call 999.
Talk to your neighbours
Take some time to talk to your neighbours to see if they are suffering from the same problem. The most effective way to tackle anti-social behaviour is when communities come together and work with the local agencies. You may be asked to complete log sheets and help collate information from others in the area.
Challenge the behaviour
In some situations it may be appropriate for you to politely challenge the behaviour as this can sometimes have an immediate effect.
Keep a record
Working with your neighbours, keep a record of when the problems are occurring, detailing as much information as possible. Log sheets are available for you to do this.
What will happen next
When you report anti-social behaviour, the information you provide will be shared with other agencies within the SDCSP so that a profile of problems in the area can be built up ensuring that action can be taken.
Each case is different and needs an individual response but action could include:
Asking you to complete log sheets
Tasking a Police Community Support Officer or Community Warden to look into the problem further carrying out physical changes to the area e.g. improving lighting, fencing, alley gating
Arranging extra "diversionary" activities such as youth work
Referring identified individuals to the Anti-Social Behaviour Task Group which can share and monitor information about the behaviour, and take appropriate action including issuing a warning letter or setting up an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement (ABA). In the most serious cases the SDCSP can apply to the courts for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO)
Can't you just put an ASBO on them?
Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) are a tool that the Community Safety Partnership can only use in the most extreme cases of anti-social behaviour. They require detailed evidence gathered over 6 months to be presented to a court.
It takes time to deal with
There is no one solution to addressing anti-social behaviour. Some problems need careful researching, evidence gathered and the involvement of many different agencies.
Experience has shown that the most effective way of dealing with it is by a balance of preventative measures, intervention and where necessary enforcement.
Solutions need to be long lasting and it is vital that residents and communities work together to stand against anti-social behaviour and to take action together.
As well as seeking to respond proactively to problems, the SDCSP has set up a number of projects designed to have a long term impact on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, including working with 8-12 year olds, providing parenting classes and working with young people thought to be at risk of entering into crime.
Contact Points
There are several ways that you can report anti-social behaviour.
If the problem is an emergency or life threatening you should always call 999
You can call Sevenoaks District Council on 01732 227000.
If you are a tenant you can contact your Housing association who may be aware of any similar problems in the area.
The Community Safety Partnership works together to reduce crime and the fear of crime and shares information to take a co-ordinated action against anti-social behaviour.
