Anti-social behaviour

The legal definition of Anti-social Behaviour (often referred to as ASB) includes harassment, but also covers a range of other situations. Anti-social behaviour may have occurred where a person is subjected to behaviour from a person not of the same household, which causes (or is likely to cause) harassment, alarm or distress. Any person, including adults or children, can carry out anti-social behaviour. ASB is persistent unreasonable behaviour. The following table gives further information including different types of ASB, along with which agency has primary responsibility for investigating:

What is ASB?
Physical violence - report to the police first
What is NOT ASB?
DIY in reasonable hours and minor car repairs
What is ASB?
Hate related Incidents (eg based on race, sexual orientation, gender, disability or belief) - report to the police first
What is NOT ASB?
Young people gathering socially
What is ASB?
Verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation or threatening behaviour - report to the police first
What is NOT ASB?
Children playing in the street including ball games
What is ASB?
Vandalism and damage to properties - report to the police first
What is NOT ASB?
Parking disputes
What is ASB?
Prostitution, sexual acts or kerb crawling - report to the police first
What is NOT ASB?
Civil disputes between neighbours (e.g. boundary issues or shared driveways)
What is ASB?
Criminal behaviour including using/dealing drugs - report to the police first
What is NOT ASB?
Disputes over social media
What is ASB?
Misuse of open spaces and public areas, including begging and off-road use of vehicles - report to the police first
What is NOT ASB?
Lifestyle differences
What is ASB?
Noise complaints - report to the council
What is NOT ASB?
Bonfires and BBQ's
What is ASB?
Busking using an amplifier within the area of the Public Space Protection order - report to the council
What is NOT ASB?
One-off house parties
What is ASB?
Problem neighbours - report to the council
What is NOT ASB?
Cooking smells
What is ASB?
Enviro-crime (can be perceived as a form of ASB but is dealt with using specific legislation): fly tipping, dog fouling, graffiti or littering - report to the council
What is NOT ASB?
Other behaviour which is not unreasonable or does not cause another person alarm, harassment or distress

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

The Act aims to give agencies and organisations simpler and more effective powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in order to give better protection to victims and communities. While most issues will continue to be resolved through support and early intervention, these powers allow councils, police and housing providers to take swifter action to address persistent anti-social behaviour hotspots and perpetrators. The powers include the following:

  • Civil injunction
  • Criminal behaviour order
  • Closure order
  • Community protection notice
  • Dispersal powers
  • Public spaces protection order
  • Discretionary grounds for possession
  • Absolute grounds for possession
  • Community remedy

Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership believes that all residents and tenants have the right to live peacefully within their home and communities and is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour.

To report anti-social behaviour to West Mercia Police call 101 or online reporting is available at westmercia.police.uk. This number is available at all times.

For emergency/urgent situations we encourage people to ring 999

To report anti-social behaviour to the council, call 0345 678 9020. Please note that this is only available during office hours.

When reporting an incident of anti-social behaviour you will be asked to provide where possible, specific details of the incident including:

  • Details of the date and time
  • What actually happened
  • Who was involved
  • Whether anyone else was affected by it

What else can I do?

If it's an issue with your neighbour, you should try talking to them first because they might not be aware they are causing a problem. Sometimes this can be a better solution than involving agencies.

If this doesn't solve the problem, or you are fearful of approaching the people involved, you should consider reporting the problem. Whatever route you take you should be prepared to negotiate to find a resolution.

In serious cases of anti-social behaviour, agencies will help you while the problem is sorted out and the perpetrator is supported to help change their behaviour.

It can be a big help if you keep a clear picture of the problem by writing all the incidents in a diary, noting the date, time and what happened.