Anti-Social Behaviour

Anti-social behaviour is both a contentious and controversial issue. There is often confusion over what anti-social behaviour is, who is responsible for dealing with it, and what legislation is available to deal with the perpetrators.

Safer North Devon Anti Social Behaviour Service Standard

Safer North Devon has a responsibility to take a multi-agency approach to resolving issues of anti-social behaviour in the North Devon and Torridge districts. Our Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator is available to respond to reports of anti-social behaviour from both our partner agencies and the general public.

To define anti-social behaviour we can look to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which formerly defines a perpetrator of anti-social behaviour as:

‘A person [that] has acted in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as himself’.


If you are experiencing anti-social behaviour you can contact the Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator at Safer North Devon on 01271 335241. If at any time you feel you or someone else is in danger contact the Police on the emergency number – 999.

How anti-social behaviour can affect you

Anti-social behaviour can have a number of effects on areas and individuals. If it is not dealt with it can increase the fear of crime in an area which can subsequently create ‘no go’ areas, making life miserable for many people and restricting people from what they want to do.

Prolonged anti-social behaviour can cause long term emotional and physical problems for the victim, some residents may even move away from the area. There can also be damage to local businesses and community groups.

Safer North Devon follows the anti-social behaviour escalation process to tackle individual perpetrators of anti-social behaviour. This is a tiered approach consisting of low level warning letters, joint agency visits, multi-agency meetings and actions such as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs), and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).  The process is flexible and the steps can be bypassed if appropriate and stages can be repeated if necessary.

ASB Minimum Standards
Following on from the Home Secretary’s announcement in October 2009 that by March 2010 he expects to see all local areas delivering a minimum set of standards for anti-social behaviour, each CDRP has been asked to return a template to Actionline.  The template simply asks whether your local area is, or intends to, sign up to the commitment to the minimum standards, and to share, where applicable, links to where this information can be found (e.g. on your council/police website).

This template has been returned from our area, and we are working with all our partners to ensure all links are in place to help communities report and ensure a consistent response, no matter where you live in North Devon.

ASB Key Message for all partners

We are committed to encouraging considerate behaviour in our neighourhoods so our communities can continue to enjoy North Devon’s welcoming environment and great quality of life.

Councils and police working with other partner agencies as Safer North Devon are committed to encouraging (championing) considerate behaviour in our communities so everyone can continue to enjoy North Devon’s welcoming environment and great quality of life.

We want to retain our area’s welcoming environment and high quality of life and will tackle inconsiderate (or anti-social behaviour) in our communities if it occurs.

Considerate behaviour means respecting your neighbours, protecting your local environment from littering ,grafitti or flytipping and behaving in a respectful manner to those around you.

Useful websites

Keep Britain Tidy
An environmental charity and the anti-litter campaign for England.  They also run programmes such as Eco-Schools, Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards for beaches, and the Green Flag for parks to demonstrate practical action.

Three Strikes
Three Strikes uses a football referee style approach to tackling anti-social behaviour, particularly drink-fuelled late night disorder. This website gives you full information on Three Strikes and some help and advice on safe nights out.

www.together.gov.uk
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/anti-social-behaviour/
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Typesofcrime/DG_4001652
http://www.respect.gov.uk/