Anti-social behaviour (ASB)
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) can be a real issue for some communities. It is difficult to define and means many different things to many people.
The Crime and Disorder Act (1998) defines ASB as behaving in a manner that 'caused or is likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress to one or more persons not of the same household.' Recognising the impact of the behaviour on the victims and the community, as well as looking at the risk factors that cause such behaviour, is key to tackling the problems.
ASB can include:
Rowdy/nuisance and inconsiderate (behaviour)
Vehicle related nuisance
Rowdy/nuisance neighbours
Malicious communications
Abandoned vehicles (not stolen)
Noise
Begging/vagrancy
Hoax calls to emergency services
Animal related problems
Anti-social behaviour causes lasting harm to individuals and the community and must be stopped at the earliest opportunity. In many instances anti-social behaviour can be stopped if challenged early, hence the importance of early warnings, visits or letters in preventing an escalation of problems.
Most people have an idea of what is an acceptable standard of behaviour and if these standards are to be meaningful then infringements and breaches of the standards needs to be challenged and dealt with.
Whilst an incremental approach is the right one, there will be occasions when it is not practical to follow all the stages to deal swiftly and effectively with anti-social behaviour to provide immediate protection to individuals and the community.
Some of the most effective interventions are those that engage the individual and lead them to change their own behaviour. Challenging behaviour and ensuring perpetrators understand that there are consequences to their actions is vital to making the long term changes needed
In recognition of the harm ASB can cause to individuals and communities, Dorset's Community Safety Partnership (CSP) have developed minimum standards outlining what you can expect if you experience ASB. The CSP will finalise these standards in May 2010.
- Reporting anti-social behaviour
What to do if you're experiencing anti-social behaviour.
- Tackling ASB
How we can tackle ASB?
- ASB minimum standards
Our pledge to victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour:
- Your local area
How is ASB tackled in your local area
