Anti Social Behaviour and Nuisance
Measuring the extent of anti-social behaviour is not an easy task. The legal definition is open to broad interpretation, so what one person perceives to be normal behaviour another may perceive as intolerable. New recording methods are being put in place that will help all agencies capture, monitor and map complaints - and this information will form the benchmark from which future partnership work can be measured.
Anti-social behaviour can come in many forms; from low-level nuisance problems, which if persistent can impact on peoples lives; to more serious anti-social behaviour. Durham County is a safe place in which to live and work. However, the fear of anti-social behaviour can be just as damaging as the real thing. It's the reason why people can feel unsafe and might be reluctant to leave their homes at night.
The cost of this problem is extremely high. On 10 September 2003 a one-day count of anti-social behaviour took place across England and Wales and over 66,000 reports were received, equating to more than two reports per second, and costing agencies at least £13.5 million.
Deliberate fires are becoming a growing problem for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and a new Arson Reduction Strategy is now in place for all partnership agencies to help reduce the number of deliberate fires and other forms of anti-social behaviour.
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.
Arson Reduction Strategy 2005-08.pdf (34 pages, 1789kb)
There is no single approach that works effectively for all kinds of anti-social behaviour. Tackling these issues requires a broad range of effective measures including: enforcement, intervention, prevention, rehabilitation and reassurance - delivered through a multi-agency partnership.
Recent legislation has provided some valuable tools to tackle all types of anti-social behaviour, including:
- The police and local authority can agree to impose a dispersal order so that groups of people can be dispersed and young people can be returned home after 9.00pm.
- The power to close a house, or premises, where the use, or dealing, of hard drugs is a cause of serious nuisance and disorder in the area.
- Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBO’s) aimed at the most persistent of offenders.
- On-the-spot fines for offences against the environment such as fly tipping, graffiti, noise, dog fouling and litter.
Housing authorities are putting in place policy and procedures to support people who are experiencing anti-social behaviour. This includes tenants and anyone visiting or working in properties or neighbourhoods. A summary of the policy and procedure is available to the public.
Many services are involved in supporting young or vulnerable people and parents. This is a role in which risk factors such as social and behavioural problems are identified, and where diversionary programmes often eliminate the need for enforcement. Our anti-social behaviour panels are made up of professionals from all agencies and it is here where decisions are made in respect of those individuals involved in anti-social behaviour. Only a small percentage of those cases discussed at the panel reach the stage of an anti-social behaviour order - the vast majority are encouraged to stop their behaviour through diversionary or preventative support.
For further information contact Community Safety at Durham County Council.
Response to ASB across the County
