Anti-social behaviour (ASB) covers a wide range of behaviour
that affects people in a negative way.
What does 'ASB' mean?
Its legal definition describes it as 'acting in a manner that
has caused or is likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress to
one or more persons not of the same household as the
perpetrator’.
Examples of anti-social behaviour can be found where people
live, work and play and can include:
- nuisance neighbours and loud parties;
- vandalism and graffiti;
- drug use or dealing;
- dumping of rubbish and litter as well as abandoned cars;
- drunken and rowdy behaviour in public; and
- groups of young people hanging about.
These offences can harm neighbourhoods and increase people's
fear of crime.
The consequences
If you are caught acting in an anti-social or criminal way there
are real penalties and you could face sanctions that will affect
your social life and possibly your future job prospects.
Measures that can be used by the police and other agencies
include:
- warning letters, contracts and agreements such as Acceptable
Behaviour Contracts (ABCs);
- fixed penalty notices;
- parenting orders and support orders; and
- injunctions, dispersal orders and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders
(ASBOs).
More information on ASB can be found here on the Direct
Gov website. (External website)
Reporting anti-social behaviour
If you want to report any incident of anti-social behaviour you
can do so via your local council.
Most district and borough councils have online or phone
reporting options. Use the related links on this page to help
you.