This report outlines the current approaches to preventing and tackling anti-social behavior followed by our organization. This report will focus on the main types of ASB experienced within our borough, the impact this has on individuals and local communities, statutory and non-statutory remedies used to tackle ASB, and current partnerships with other agencies to ensure residents can lead peaceful lives free from harassment and aggravation.
Antisocial behavior is a complex issue with many variables faced by all housing providers.
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In order to prevent ASB it is important people are aware of what constitutes ASB. Our organization defines antisocial behavior as problems that continue over a period of time for example:
Noise: Excessive noise, shouting, swearing, and banging
Intimidation harassment or violence: Actual or threatened violence, physical or verbal abuse. Illegal use of premises or other criminal behavior, e.g. drug dealing.
Environmental ASB: Vandalism, misuse of communal areas and public spaces, littering, fly-tipping, or joyriding.
The legal definition in England as stated in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 defines ASB as:
- Conduct that has caused or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to any person.
- Conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person's occupation of residential premises
- Conduct that is capable of causing (housing-related) nuisance or annoyance to any person
The main types of ASB experienced in our local authority are graffiti, vandalism, and drug dealing (Louis, N, 2021).
Antisocial behavior has devastating impacts on the quality of life of affected individuals causing misery, anxiety, disruption to sleep, deterioration in physical and mental well-being, and leaving victims feeling unsafe in their own homes. In addition to affecting individuals local communities also suffer from physical deterioration, and reputation worsening which can impact property value making the area hard to let.
In England, the key legislation relating to ASB is the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act 2014. The act introduced the following legal powers so landlords may take swift action to focus on tackling the most serious cases of ASB:
- Injunctions
- Closure Order
- Community protection notices
- Criminal behavior orders
- Dispersal powers
- Public space protection order
- Community Trigger
- Absolute ground for possession
- Community Remedy
A statutory remedy available for housing providers to tackle ASB is possession. Applying to the court for possession should always be a last resort but is an available option if there is a severe breach of tenancy. Hertsmere is a non-stock holding authority however Clarion is the main housing provider and tends to issue new tenants with a starter or introductory tenancy for a fixed period. This provides less security of tenure and if there are any breaches within the probationary period the landlord may apply for possession, which is mandatory, as long as the correct procedure has been followed.
Another statutory method is a closure order, this allows the police or local authority to close the premises where anti-social behavior has been committed. A closure order could be used for a property where drug dealing is taking place. Recently a closure order was obtained for a Clarion property within the borough following numerous reports from residents regarding anti-social behavior and potential drug-related activity which had reduced the quality of life for local residents (Reaidi, June 2021).
A good practice example is Helena Partnership which has demonstrated ASB is a priority by investing in training for all staff. All staff is clear on what to do if they witness or are informed of an incident of ASB due to the comprehensive training provided.
The following nonstatutory methods are being used by our organization to tackle ASB relating to temporary accommodation tenants:
- Informal warnings This is an informal home visit to the perpetrator to reiterate tenant obligations and acceptable conduct whilst accommodated in temporary accommodation.
- Verbal or written warnings This is a formal warning in writing to the perpetrator advising of breach of rules and consequences if the matter continues. All warnings are recorded in the event temporary accommodation is terminated for unacceptable conduct.
Other non-statutory approaches used by other housing providers that are not currently being used by our organization but could be considered are :
Acceptable behavior agreement specifies the types of behavior the perpetrator is agreeing not to continue, any breaches can be used for legal action if necessary. A good practice example is Salford City Council, Salix Homes, and Salford Youth Offending Service have found the issuing of Acceptable Behaviour agreements ensures the offender must acknowledge the harm and impact of their behavior, early intervention has indicated this is having a positive impact on perpetrators behavior and the breach rate has been very low.
Mediation both parties would need to agree to this to try and resolve any grievances. A good practice example is a group of Three Rivers Housing Association's tenants has recently received accredited training to become mediators. When landlords work in partnership with communities reduced ASB can be achieved.
Our organization has a multi-agency approach to taking pride in the borough. The following organizations make up the community safety partnership to work together to reduce crime and offending in Hertsmere:
- Hertsmere Borough Council
- Clarion Housing
- Hertfordshire County Council
- Hertfordshire Fire and safety rescue
- Hertfordshire constabulary
- Hertfordshire police and crime commissioner
- National probation service
- Here's the valley clinical commissioning group
An example of how these agencies prevent and tackle ASB is the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Group (ASBAG) meetings. Representatives from a wide range of partner agencies meet to discuss individuals who are persistently involved in ASB and areas that are identified as ASB hot spots. The agencies work together to address these issues and take appropriate action against individuals to improve their quality of life.
Overall our organization's approach to ASB appears to be working well as 76% of residents agree that the police and local council are successfully dealing with anti-social behavior and crime issues in their local area. 99% of Hertsmere residents agree that they feel safe in their local area when outside in the daytime and 80% agree that they feel safe in their local area when outside after dark
An example of our organization's approach to preventing ASB is the community safety partnership that runs a 1-day workshop called 'Choices'. This day is aimed at young people who have been involved in or are likely to become involved in ASB. The event aims to raise awareness about the causes, consequences, and penalties of crime, and the effects of anti-social behaviour. In addition to this, the safer neighborhoods team is aware often residents witness criminal activity but are too scared to report it. To encourage members of the local community to report Anti-social behaviour such as drug dealing they will be promoting crime stoppers as a way that people can report these incidents anonymously.
An example of tackling is to ensure the borough is a safer place to live and work feedback can be left on the community voice platform 'echo'. In response to recent comments, the safer neighborhoods teams have set up a dedicated team of PCs and PCSOs to tackle Anti-social behavior in problem areas. For the past few months, the safer neighborhoods team has been working in the Battlers Green Drive area of Radlett which is a problem area for ASB, positive results have been achieved by issuing Community Protection Notices and taking offenders to court as a result ASB has reduced in the area and fewer reports have been received.
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