Antisocial behaviour
Antisocial behaviour is defined as 'behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person' (Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014).
But what does this mean? Find out more about how we classify antisocial behaviour and the many activities that it covers.
What is antisocial behaviour?
There are three main categories for antisocial behaviour, depending on how many people are affected:
- Personal antisocial behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group.
- Nuisance antisocial behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.
- Environmental antisocial behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.
Under these main headings antisocial behaviour falls into one of 13 different types:
- Vehicle abandoned: This covers vehicles that appear to have been left by their owner, rather than stolen and abandoned. It includes scrap or ‘end of life’ vehicles and those damaged at the scene of a road traffic collision that have been abandoned and aren’t awaiting recovery.
- Vehicle nuisance or inappropriate use: This relates to vehicles being used in acts such as street cruising (driving up and down the street causing annoyance and bothering other road users), vehicle convoys and riding or driving on land other than a road. It also covers the misuse of go-peds, motorised skateboards and electric-propelled cycles, and the unlicensed dealing of vehicles where a person has two or more vehicles on the same road within 500 metres of each other.
- Rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour: This refers to general nuisance behaviour in a public place or a place to which the public have access, such as private clubs. It does not include domestic-related behaviour, harassment or public disorder which should be reported as crimes.
- Rowdy or nuisance neighbours: This covers any rowdy behaviour or general nuisance caused by neighbours, including boundary and parking disputes. It also covers noise nuisance from parties or playing loud music.
- Littering or drugs paraphernalia: This includes fly posting and discarding litter, rubbish or drugs paraphernalia in any public place.
- Animal problems: This covers any situation where animals are creating a nuisance or people’s behaviour associated with the use of animals is deemed as antisocial. It includes uncontrolled animals, stray dogs, barking, fouling and intimidation by an animal.
- Trespassing: This is any situation in which people have entered land, water or premises without lawful authority or permission. It ranges from taking an unauthorised shortcut through a garden to setting up unauthorised campsites.
- Nuisance calls: This covers any type of communication by phone that causes anxiety and annoyance, including silent calls and intrusive ‘cold calling’ from businesses. It does not cover indecent, threatening or offensive behaviour which should be reported as crimes.
- Street drinking: This relates to unlicensed drinking in public spaces, where the behaviour of the persons involved is deemed as antisocial. It also covers unplanned and spontaneous parties which encroach on the street.
- Activity relating to sex workers or sex working: This relates to any activity such as loitering, displaying cards or promoting sex worker services. It may also refer to activities in and around a brothel that impact on local residents. It does not include ‘kerb-crawling’ which should be reported as a crime.
- Nuisance noise: This relates to all incidents of noise nuisance that do not involve neighbours (see ‘Nuisance neighbours’ above).
- Begging: This covers anyone begging or asking for charitable donations in a public place, or encouraging a child to do so, without a license. Unlicensed ticket sellers at or near public transport hubs may also fall into this category.
- Misuse of fireworks: This will include the inappropriate use of fireworks, the unlawful sale or possession of fireworks and noise created by fireworks.
If you are experiencing ASB and are in need of support, there are services to the right of this page that can help you.
If you think a crime has been committed, you can report to the Police here.
Advice
It is important to keep records of the behaviour and when it is happening. Don't be afraid to tell one of the partner agencies about it and to ask for support when you need it. To help you and others:
- report antisocial behaviour
- record it
- look out for others that may experience antisocial behaviour and report it on their behalf
Anti-social behaviour case review
The case review empowers repeat victims of antisocial behaviour to ask for a review of the actions partner agencies have taken to resolve their concerns. To be eligible, you need to:
- have experienced three incidents as an individual in the last six months
Each of the incidents need to have been reported within one month of them taking place and you must apply for case review within six months of the latest incident. The victim can be a business, individual or a community group.
You can find the application link for your area here.
National support organisations
A national charity dedicated to helping anyone affected by crime to cope with and recover from their experience.
If it doesn't have an office in your area, it can point you to local help.
It also runs My Support Space, a free, safe, secure and confidential space where you can choose how you want to be supported. Register for My Support Space - it's quick and easy.
A charity in England and Wales providing online advice and support to victims of antisocial behaviour.
A confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to anyone on any issue, but particularly aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse.
Helpline 01708 765200
What is Immediate Justice?
- Immediate Justice forms part of the Government’s Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan
- Those found committing anti-social behaviour swiftly repair the harm and the damage that they’ve caused to victims and communities.
- Through undertaking practical and meaningful activities, which can include gardening, litter picking and the removal of graffiti.
- Ambition of reparative justice starting within 48 hours
Who stands to benefit from it?
- This is victim and community focused, with a commitment from the police and partners to crack down on anti-social behaviour
- Immediate Justice gives victims and communities a say and voice in how perpetrators repair the harm and damage that they’ve caused
What are the key objectives?
- Reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour
- Increase confidence in reporting anti-social behaviour and that appropriate action will be taken
- Increase sense of community and social cohesion
Where in Sussex will it be taking place?
- Sussex will deliver Immediate Justice through existing teams and frameworks
- Sussex Police will be working with partners in Brighton and Hove as a test location from July
- Work continues with other services providers to deliver Immediate Justice across Sussex from October
Who’s paying for it?
- As part of the recently launched Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan Sussex one of 10 trailblazer police areas receiving funding from the government to develop and deliver Immediate Justice
Why is Immediate Justice important for communities?
- Persistent anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on the lives of victims and communities
- No one should have to suffer in silence and you will be taken seriously
- Immediate Justice will ensure that offenders take accountability for their actions and repair the harm and damage that they’ve caused
To find out more about Immediate Justice, please check out this section on the PCC's website: SPCC - Immediate Justice