How do we deal with anti-social behaviour?
In 1998 the Government brought into force the Crime and Disorder Act. This law was introduced in response to growing public concern about unacceptable and anti-social behaviour from groups or individuals who cause alarm, distress or harassment within the community.
The role of the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit is to consider information received about unacceptable or anti-social behaviour and to take any appropriate prevention, intervention, and enforcement or rehabilitation action where necessary. Some of these actions are outlined below:
Parental Letters
If the individual concerned is under 18 years of age, initial contact is made with the young people via a parental letter which is sent to their home. The letter will give details of the alleged behaviour that is causing concern.
Recorded Home Visits
Sometimes it may be appropriate for an anti-social behaviour officer or police officer to visit the young person or individual at home e.g. where anti-social behaviour has continued despite a parental letter having been sent. At these visits, the behaviour is discussed with the young person (or individual) and their parent(s)/guardian. The visit is formally recorded.
Acceptable Behaviour Agreement (ABA)
In some cases, an interview is arranged between representatives of Lambeth Council and the Police and the individual(s) concerned. At the interview a contract of Acceptable Behaviour is drawn up and signed by all parties.
Good Neighbour Agreement (GNA)
Good Neighbour Agreements are usually agreements between landlords and their tenants but they can be used by other agencies and organisations. Good Neighbour Agreements can be used to cover very small areas, for example particular streets or small estates, larger estates or the whole of a landlords stock.
Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO)
If the behaviour continues to be unacceptable or of a serious nature, the matter will then be considered by ASB Unit through the Anti-Social behaviour Priority Group Panels: ASB Priority Group Panel-Young People and ASB Priority Group Panel-Adults. Following which an application may be made to the Magistrates’ Court for an ASBO against the individual(s).
Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) are similar in nature to an injunction. The Court will impose appropriate conditions on the individual(s) concerned prohibiting them from causing alarm, distress and harassment to other individuals and the community in general. Specific conditions may also be imposed, such as preventing the person from associating with certain known individuals committing anti-social behaviour and banning them from a particular area for a fixed period of time. The orders may last from 2 to 5 years.
The aim of such orders is to impose conditions on the individual(s) concerned which will prohibit them from behaving in a way that is unacceptable and that causes alarm, distress or harassment. Breach of an ASBO is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment up to a maximum of 5 years.
The support of the community is crucial in reporting and identifying individual(s) who cause anti-social behaviour and, in some cases, providing evidence to assist the local authority and Police in efforts to prevent anti-social behaviour continuing. This information is an important especially after an ASBO has been made so that any breaches are properly dealt with by the Court.
It is the aim of the Lambeth Strategic Partnership to make the Borough of Lambeth a safer place. The use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders is just one of many tools by which it is hoped that anti-social behaviour can be tackled successfully. If you are, or have recently been, the victim of anti-social behaviour, you are strongly advised to report this to your local anti-social behaviour caseworker, the safer neighbourhood policing team in your ward, or your landlord (if your home is provided by a Housing Association).
Anti-social behaviour advice and support contacts page.
Keeping a diary
If the anti-social acts complained of are of a persistent nature please keep a diary of the events that you witness.
Detail as much information as possible including dates and times and the effect the behaviour had on you. You can obtain ASB diary sheet for this purpose from the local area housing office or at your safer neighbourhood policing office. If you find that your neighbours are experiencing similar behaviour please encourage them to report any incidents and to keep a diary of events that they have witnessed.