What is Anti-Social Behaviour?
Anti-Social Behaviour is any incident that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more individuals not of the same household as the perpetrator. Below is an example list of incidents that could be classed as anti-social behaviour:
• Underage drinking
• Verbal abuse or abusive gestures
• Nuisance or illegal motorbikes
• Violence or threats of violenceBehaviour?
If the incident is a less serious incident of anti-social behaviour, before reporting it to the Council or another agency first ask yourself is there anything that you could try to do to alleviate the problem. i.e.: -
• In the case of a neighbour dispute or where an individual is causing nuisance, are you able to speak with the person about the problem? Sometimes individuals are unaware that there is a problem or how their behaviour can affect others.
• If you are unable to approach the individual, could you write them a polite letter outlining the problem?
• If you are experiencing problems from young people and you are aware of where they live, are you able to speak with their parents /carers? Often many parents are unaware of their children’s behaviour away from home and appreciate being informed of an incident so they have the first opportunity to deal with the issue.
If you are able to speak with the perpetrator try to remember the following:
• Stay calm and communicate in a polite manner, remember if you are aggressive the other person may become aggressive too and the problem may not be resolved.
• Explain the problem and how it is affecting you or your family.
• Do not be verbally abusive.
• Listen to other people’s points of view and give them the opportunity to speak.
• Try to reach an agreement.
• If you cannot reach an agreement due to the perpetrator being unreasonable –leave the discussion.
If you were able to speak with the perpetrator and incidents are still occurring or have
worsened