Anti Social Behaviour

Safer South Warwickshire (South Warwickshire Community Safety Partnership)

Tackling anti-social behaviour is a high priority for the South Warwickshire Community Safety Partnership. Any resident concerned about anti-social behaviour is entitled to know what level of service they can expect.

What is Anti-Social Behaviour?

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 defines anti-social behaviour as:

“Behaviour likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress to one or more people who are not in the same household as the perpetrator."

This covers a wide range of unacceptable behaviour which can have a negative effect on an individual or the wider community.

Who do I contact if I am affected by Anti-Social Behaviour?

If the problem is an immediate emergency then call the Police on 999.

In a non emergency situation you can contact Warwickshire Police on 01926 415000.

This Council is responsible for co-ordinating action to tackle Anti Social Behaviour. Two Anti-Social Behaviour Officers are employed in South Warwickshire, one working In Stratford-on-Avon District and the other in Warwick District.

You can report your problem by telephone to the Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Officer on the telephone number below.

In some cases you may wish to make contact directly with the organisation which has the powers to address your problem.

Housing - In Stratford-on-Avon District, social housing is the responsibility of a number of Housing Associations – please seek advice from the Anti-Social Behaviour Officer.

Noise etc - For Stratford-on-Avon District, please contact the Environmental Protection team on 01789 260835 (or by emailing envhealth@stratford-dc.gov.uk.

What action can be taken to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour?

In South Warwickshire, we believe in the effectiveness of early intervention and operate a tiered response tailored to the particular circumstances of the anti-social behaviour. We employ a wide range of interventions that have proved effective in addressing anti-social behaviour, the most common of which are:

• Advisory and Warning letters that are sent to perpetrators or their guardians outlining the unacceptable behaviour and warning that further action will follow should the behaviour continue.
• Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC), voluntary but formal document signed by the perpetrator committing to stop behaving in an unacceptable way.
  Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) A Court order that if breached can result in a fine or imprisonment.
• Dispersal Order, an order which gives the Police powers to disperse groups in a designated area.

• Possession Order, a Court order that allows a social landlord to evict tenants who have breached their tenancy agreement.

What is the Minimum Standard of service that I can expect?

South Warwickshire CSP is dedicated to a multi agency approach to reducing the number of incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour and the fear of Anti Social Behaviour.
We will ensure that:

• all reports of anti social behaviour are treated seriously.
• all victims of Anti Social Behaviour are given as much support as possible.
• all victims and witnesses will be kept informed of ongoing actions.
• we will deal promptly and effectively with any problem reported to us or we will pass it to an organisation that we consider may be more effective in resolving the issue.

• all relevant agencies will co-operate in addressing any issues of anti-social behaviour and where necessary and appropriate share information.

Who can I talk to if I am unhappy about the response to my problem?

In the first instance any problems should be reported to the relevant Community Safety Officer.

Please Note:
The Council's Anti Social Behaviour Officer, Kully Takhar, will be on maternity leave with effect from Friday 26th August 2011.

Until her return, interim arrangements have been put in place for Kully's current case load to be managed by the Warwickshire Police Anti Social Behaviour Officer, PCSO Claire Miller, who is based at Stratford Police Station. PCSO Miller will also receive any requests for service forwarded to her by the Council's Contact Centre and pass them to the relevant Safer Neighbourhood Team for investigation and action, as appropriate.

It is anticipated that PCSO Miller will concentrate on individual cases of ASB and will not provide the full range of possible interventions whilst Kully is away.

If you need to contact PCSO Miller directly, please note that her normal working hours are Monday - Friday 09.00 - 15.00 hours.

PCSO 6045 Claire Miller
Business: 01789 414111 Ext: 4561
Mobile: 07795 258852
Business Fax: 01789 444688
E-mail: Claire.Miller@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

If you have concerns relating to a property rented from Orbit Housing Association, they should be referred directly to Mark Lingard, Tenancy Services Manager.
Business: (01789) 404450
E-mail: Mark.Lingard@orbit.org.uk