Help from RBH
Reporting anti social behaviour to your local housing
office
If you are experiencing problems with anti social behaviour you
should initially try to resolve them
yourself were possible. If the anti social behaviour continues
or you are unable to sort it out yourself, report the matter to
your local housing office as soon as
possible. It is important that you report problems promptly
because:
- it allows us to give you advice and support at an early stage
if you are suffering as a result of the behaviour
- it allows us to take prompt action to deal with the issues
- it may be possible to 'nip the problem in the bud'
It is best if you report the nuisance directly to your local
housing office in person,
online form, in writing, by telephone or by email, but you can
also report it to any community organisation or your local
councillor or ask a friend or relative to report it on your
behalf.
Complaints can also be made anonymously, however this may
restrict the amount of investigation and action we can undertake
and will not allow us to provide you with information and
support. We would recommend, therefore, that you give us your
name and address.
All information you supply will be treated as confidential and
your identity will not be revealed without your
permission.
How we will deal with your report
Housing officers deal with each reasonable complaint of anti
social behaviour. Each case will be considered on its merit and
suitable action will be taken.
After you have complained, your housing officer will arrange to
interview you. If this interview cannot take place when you
report the complaint, we will interview you within 24 hours for
serious cases or within 5 working days for all other cases. At the
interview we will obtain more information and discuss what action
we can take.
Usually our first step will be to visit or write to the person
you have complained about. We do not have to reveal your
identity.
Following this we will write and let you know what is
happening.
We may also try to mediate between you and the person you have
complained about to help overcome differences.
If the anti social behaviour continues we will ask you to keep a
record of what happens on an anti social behaviour incident diary
sheet. This can be used as vital evidence should the matter require
legal action.
You should give this record to your housing officer who will
look at all the information you provide. We will discuss the
situation with you and consider what action can be taken to try and
resolve the problem.
Serious or urgent cases
Where there has been:
- A threat of violence or use of actual violence
- Discriminatory harassment whether racial or otherwise
- Serious nuisance is not resolved by the process described
above
The case will be passed to our Legal Services and Enforcement
Team for consideration and further action.
Possible action could include:
Collecting additional supporting evidence
If additional supporting evidence is needed we will consider
collecting this by:
- Contacting other people who may have been affected by the
conduct
- Issuing diary sheets to witnesses
- Loaning recording equipment
- Interviewing the alleged perpetrator
- Carrying out covert surveillance or CCTV surveillance of the
area where the problem has occurred
- Using professional witnesses
Legal action
There are a number of courses of legal action available
including:
- Anti social behaviour orders (ASBO)
- Injunctions
- Possession proceedings (extreme cases only)
The type of legal action will depend on the case.
Referral to other agencies
This may include referral to:
- Police
- Youth Offending Team
- Education Welfare
- Probation
- Social Services
- Community Safety
Again who the case is referred to will depend on the type of
case and the behaviour involved.
Urgent rehousing
In exceptional circumstances, temporary accommodation may be
provided.
Please note legal action can only be taken if there is evidence
of anti social behaviour which is likely to be accpeted by the
court. In some cases it may be necessary to have a record of anti
social behaviour from at least two residents, who are prepared to
give evidence in Court. Without your support it may be difficult to
take any legal action.
You should also be aware that if legal action is taken, the
identity of witnesses may be revealed. In some circumstances
evidence can be provided anonymously. You will be asked if you are
prepared to be a witness and how you wish to submit your evidence
before legal action commences.
Please bear in mind that the resident(s) you are complaining
about has certain rights just like you and we cannot remove them
from their home without a court order.
Supporting witnesses and complainants
We will support you by dealing promptly with your report of anti
social behaviour and keeping you informed of progress. Where
appropriate, we will also offer real and practical support through
a number of initiatives, including:
- Providing home security measures
- Providing panic alarms in serious cases
- Working closely with the Police
- Using our officers as professional witnesses
- Engaging ASB Support Workers to act as liaison and information
points for Witnesses