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Anti-social Behaviour Policy

Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) Policy

ACH recognises that anti-social behaviour and nuisance noise can cause disruption and stress, not only to individuals, but to whole communities. Our policy is to tackle anti-social behaviour quickly and effectively for our residents and their neighbourhoods.  

We believe that everyone has the right to their chosen lifestyle providing this does not affect the quality of life of their neighbours or the communities in which they live. This means being tolerant, accepting and respecting the needs and choices of other people.  We work with local communities where we can, including the police, faith groups and local community leaders. 

 

What is ASB?

Anti-social behaviour is defined by Section 2(1) of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 as:

  1. conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person,
  2. conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person’s occupation of residential premises, or
  3. conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person.

 

Examples of anti-social behaviour may include (but not be restricted to):

  • Excessive and persistent noise nuisance
  • Threatening language or behaviour
  • Actual violence
  • Illegal supply of drugs
  • Car crime
  • Hate crime
  • Racial and other harassment
  • Arson and vandalism and graffiti.
  • Intimidation and harassment such as racial harassment.
  • Visit of friends outside hours agreed for our house visits.
  • Nuisance caused by pets whether fouling, noise related or other problems
  • Inconsiderate disposal of household rubbish
  • Hoarding or dumping materials/rubbish within the home or its vicinities or in communal areas
  • Fouling in public areas
  • Misuse of communal areas/public spaces including leaving personal items in those areas/spaces
  • Inconsiderate parking of vehicles and abandoned vehicles
  • Damage to property, including graffiti and vandalism
  • Nuisance noise, including excessively loud music, parties and persistent shouting or dog barking

 

 

What is not ASB

There are some behaviours that are highly unlikely to ever be considered ASB or a nuisance by ACH. Examples of these include, but are not limited to:

 

  • Footsteps
  • Children playing in their own home or in a designated play area
  • Babies crying
  • DIY / Moving furniture at a reasonable hour
  • Noise generated from domestic appliances at a reasonable hour
  • Closing cupboards
  • Cooking smells
  • People talking
  • Overgrown gardens
  • Other undefined daily living noise

 

How to Report an ASB Concern

We would never expect you to deal with cases of anti-social behaviour or nuisance noise if you do not feel safe, or if criminal acts have been carried out.

To report anti-social behaviour to ACH, call our relevant local office and our staff will log your concern and investigate the issue with the appropriate urgency.

ACH Bristol – 0117 954 0433

ACH Birmingham – 0121 565 3384

ACH Coventry – 0247 531 2470

ACH Wolverhampton – 01902 429163

Although we would prefer you to give your contact details as we may need more information to investigate fully, you are welcome to report anonymously and we would never share your details with the neighbour you reported unless you were happy for us to do so.