Anti-social
behaviour
What is anti-social behaviour?
Acting in a manner that has “caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as the perpetrator."
The Crime and Disorder Act 1998
Anti-social behaviour is a wide range of unacceptable activity, and includes things like:-
- Noise – including loud music, banging, DIY at unsocial hours, loud parties, frequent visitors at unsocial hours.
- Shouting, swearing and fighting.
- Intimidation through threats or actual violence.
- Harassment.
- Verbal abuse.
- Abusive behaviour aimed at causing distress or fear to certain people; for example, elderly or disabled people
- Driving in an inconsiderate or careless way; for example, drivers congregating in an area for racing/car cruising.
- Dumping rubbish.
- Animal nuisance, including dog fouling, dogs barking.
- Vandalism, property damage and graffiti.
- Anti social drinking.
- Arson.
Anti-social behaviour can ruin people's lives and devastate their communities.
What anti-social behaviour isn't
The following behaviours are not classed as anti-social:
- Parking (including badly parked vehicles).
- Children playing.
- Neighbours doing DIY (at reasonable times of the day).
- Groups of people in the street or in parks, unless they are being rowdy, abusive, causing damage or committing other crimes.
- Noise caused by everyday living.
- Religious or cultural practice.
- A one-off party.
- General living noise.