Antisocial behaviour

What antisocial behaviour is

Antisocial behaviour (ASB) is when someone’s actions make you feel harassed, frightened or distressed. It usually involves behaviour that happens repeatedly and has a serious impact on you or others in the community.

Examples can include:

• Persistent noise nuisance
• Verbal abuse, harassment or intimidation
• Violence or threats of violence
• Hate crime
• Drug use or dealing
• Criminal damage or arson
• Sexual offences or acts of indecency
• The use or possession of a weapon
• Running illegal activities such as brothels

What is not usually classed as antisocial behaviour

Not every neighbourhood issue is classed as ASB. Some everyday activities are part of normal living and we would not usually take action on these.

Examples include:

• A one-off party
• Minor disagreements between neighbours
• Babies crying
• Children playing
• Cooking smells
• Occasional DIY noise

How to report ASB

Several organisations work together to tackle antisocial behaviour, including the police, your local council and us. Each has different powers and responsibilities, so working together often helps resolve issues more effectively.

You can report ASB to us:

• Online using our reporting tool. Sign in or sign up and go to My neighbourhood
• By phone on 0300 555 6666
• In person at our offices or to a colleague.
• If you believe a crime is being committed, or you have been threatened or assaulted, contact the police immediately.
• Emergency: call 999
• Non-emergency: call 101

What happens after you report ASB

When you report antisocial behaviour, we will:

• Respond within five working days, or sooner for high-risk cases
• Ask for details and any evidence to help us understand the situation
• Agree an action plan with you
• Keep you updated as the case progresses
• Depending on the situation, we may:
• work with the police, council or other partners
• arrange mediation between neighbours
• issue warnings or take tenancy action
• take legal action, including injunctions or possession proceedings in the most serious cases.

Neighbour disputes

Not every issue between neighbours is antisocial behaviour. Sometimes problems arise from different lifestyles or expectations.

If you feel safe and comfortable to do so, the first step is often to speak to your neighbour calmly about the issue. They may not realise they are causing a problem.

If this does not help you can contact us and we can look at ways to support a resolution. In some cases, mediation may help both parties reach an agreement.

If you are unhappy with how your ASB report was handled

If you have reported antisocial behaviour and feel that not enough action has been taken by the agencies involved, you can request an ASB case review.

This is sometimes called the Community Trigger. It allows a review of how organisations such as the police, council and housing providers have handled your case.

You can read more about how the process works on GOV.UK: