Dealing with anti-social behaviour

What is anti-social behaviour?

It is when other people behave in a way that alarms or distresses you when you are in and around your home, such as:

• making a lot of unnecessary noise;
• committing crimes or vandalism;
• harassing you because of your race or sex;
• causing problems with cars or other vehicles;
• allowing pets and animals to be a nuisance;
• dumping rubbish;
• letting their garden get overgrown;
• behaving violently;
• abusing drugs or alcohol;
• using their home for immoral purposes such as drug-dealing;
• verbally abusing or scaring you; or
• arguing with you about the boundaries between your properties.

The information in the guide below gives information on where residents can get help to deal with anti-social behaviour; how quickly we can deal with the problem; and a step-by-step guide to sorting out neighbour problems.

Dealing with anti-social behaviour
(This guide is available in PDF format and you need Adobe Reader to view them. This is already on most computers but is also available here)

If you would like more information, please contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer, by telephone using the numbers below, or email helpline@westlea.co.uk

North team on 01249 466130
(Malmesbury, Calne, Wootton Bassett, Cricklade, Purton & Swindon)

South Team on 01249 466140
(Chippenham, Corsham, Melksham & Trowbridge)

'Starter tenancies'
- what do you think?

Click here to view PDF of article published in HOME magazine
(Summer 2008 edition)

Westlea Housing works as part of the local Community Safety Partnership and supports the Government's 'Respect' Standard – see below for more details.

How is Westlea tackling anti-social behaviour?

Click here to view PDF of article published in HOME magazine
(Spring 2008 edition)

Useful contacts
and support

www.askwiltshire.org
Support service for parents who have concerns about their teenager’s behaviour

www.badaservices.org.uk
Work with people of all ages with drug and drinking problems

www.splitz.org
Support for victims and families of domestic violence

www.victimsupport.org.uk Support for residents who have been affected by crime

www.fluxhelp.co.uk
Working with children under 18 who have drug problems

www.wiltshire.police.uk
The local police website

Westlea signed up to the Government's 'Respect' campaign which continued the drive to tackle anti-social behaviour, adopted a broader and deeper approach to intervene early and tackle underlying causes of anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The 'Respect' standard was about:
1. Accountability, leadership and commitment
2. Empowering and reassuring residents
3. Prevention and early intervention
4. Tailored services for residents and support for victims and witnesses
5. Protecting communities with swift enforcement
6. Support to tackle the causes of ASB

The Government has said it will continue to address anti-social behaviour by ensuring young people are given opportunities and by challenging ‘problem families’ to accept support to change their behaviour. Work will continue to strengthen communities and ensure that public spaces are clean and safe, and victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour are protected and supported.

For more information see the dedicated Home Office site:
www.respect.gov.uk

Westlea Housing works very closely with the Police, North Wiltshire District Council, the Youth Offending team and a variety of other support agencies to ensure the relevant action is taken against residents who are responsible for anti-social behaviour.

The Partners work together to discuss individuals causing a nuisance and what should be done to try and resolve the problem. By sharing information with the partnership regarding anti-social individuals a multi-agency approach can be taken to try and ensure the most effective course of action is taken. The Partnership has taken joint action against a number of individuals implementing support plans, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and Injunctions which have had a positive effect on our neighbourhoods.