Tackling Antisocial Behaviour in Your Community
Antisocial behaviour (ASB) can have a serious impact on individuals and communities, making people feel unsafe in their own homes and neighbourhoods. It covers a broad range of activities, from vandalism and excessive noise to intimidation and drug-related offences. Addressing ASB effectively requires a community-led approach, where residents, local authorities, and the police work together to create safer spaces for everyone.
What is Antisocial Behaviour?
ASB is any behaviour that causes harassment, alarm, or distress to others. It can be categorised into three main types:
- Personal ASB – When an individual is targeted specifically, such as through verbal abuse, threats, or harassment.
- Nuisance ASB – Behaviour that causes annoyance or distress to a wider community, such as persistent loud music, vandalism, or fly-tipping.
- Environmental ASB – Actions that affect public spaces or private property, such as graffiti, littering, or reckless driving.
The Impact of ASB
The effects of ASB can be far-reaching. It can lower people’s quality of life, create fear, and lead to a decline in the appearance and reputation of an area. Persistent ASB may also contribute to more serious criminal activity if left unchecked.
For vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or those with disabilities, the consequences can be even more severe, increasing feelings of isolation and anxiety. Tackling ASB is not just about enforcement; it is about preventing harm and ensuring that everyone feels safe where they live.
What Can You Do About ASB?
If you witness ASB, there are steps you can take to help address it:
- Report it – ASB should be reported to your local council or the police, depending on its severity. Many councils have dedicated ASB teams that can investigate and take action.
- Keep a record – If ASB is a recurring issue, keeping a log of incidents with dates, times, and descriptions can help authorities build a case.
- Work with your community – Neighbourhood Watch groups and local residents’ associations can help tackle ASB through collective action, raising awareness, and working with enforcement agencies.
- Seek support – If ASB is affecting your wellbeing, you can contact support organisations such as Victim Support or your local council’s community safety team for advice and assistance.
How Authorities Can Help
Local councils and police forces have various tools to deal with ASB, including:
- Community Protection Notices (CPNs) – Used to stop individuals or businesses from continuing activities that cause a nuisance.
- Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) – Restrictions in specific areas to prevent behaviours such as street drinking or persistent begging.
- Civil injunctions – Court orders that can be issued against individuals to prevent them from engaging in ASB.
- Closure orders – Used to shut down premises causing serious disruption, such as drug dens or party houses.
A Shared Responsibility
Creating safer communities is a shared responsibility. While authorities have enforcement powers, residents play a crucial role in preventing and reporting ASB. By working together, we can ensure that our neighbourhoods remain places where people feel safe, respected, and part of a supportive community.
If you are experiencing ASB, don’t suffer in silence, take action, seek support, and help make a difference in your area.