Anti-Social Behaviour - Policy summary

Introduction

Anti-social behaviour is not acceptable. It can destroy people’s lives and cause misery to communities. Anti-social behaviour cannot be dealt with by any one organisation or agency working in isolation and United Welsh aims to work with partner agencies and residents to prevent and tackle anti-social behaviour in whatever form it manifests itself.

Definition

The definition of anti social behaviour from the Housing Act 1996 Section 153A and B and Section 218(A), inserted by the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, is: ‘Conduct, which is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any person’. Anti-social behaviour toward a person or groups of people may or may not be motivated because of their colour, race, ethnic or national origin, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, parental responsibility, marital status or religious belief. 

 Examples of anti-social Behaviour include:-

• Noise Nuisance
• Verbal Abuse, Harassment & Intimidation 
• The fouling of public areas, graffiti, fly tipping & nuisance vehicles
• Actual or threatened violence
• Hate Crime e.g. racial harassment.
• Domestic abuse 

The tenancy agreement

The tenancy agreement is the legally binding contract between United Welsh and our tenants. It sets out obligations, terms and conditions for both parties. Specific clauses in the tenancy agreement are required to make clear to a tenant what type of behaviour they will and can be held responsible for and what type of behaviour is not acceptable.

The tenancy agreement clearly states that tenants are responsible for the behaviour of everyone (including children) living in, or visiting, their home. The tenant is responsible for them in their home, on surrounding land, in shared areas and in the neighbourhood around their home. 

United Welsh Approach…

United Welsh operate a tiered system to tackle anti-social behaviour in a firm but fair manner. We aim to ensure all reported cases of anti social behaviour are dealt with quickly, efficiently & consistently. We will record, acknowledge, investigate, action and monitor cases. We will work together with complainants, providing help and support; empowering people to build safer communities. 

On receipt of a complaint, all cases of anti-social behaviour will be logged and monitored using the IBS Housing Management System. United Welsh has categorised anti-social behaviour according to severity. Serious allegations of anti-social behaviour will indicate a Red response; all other types of anti-social behaviour will denote an Amber response. Red response anti-social behaviour includes:-

• Domestic Abuse

• Hate Crime e.g Racial Harassment
• Physical Violence
• Threatened Violence

In response to all reported Red anti-social behaviour, United Welsh will contact complainants within 1 working day of the initial complaint. Complainants reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour that fall within the Amber category will be contacted within 3 working days of the initial complaint. 

United Welsh has set anti-social behaviour service standards in order to maximise its service to customers. United Welsh seeks to continually improve its service and will therefore contact complainants for feedback following a case of anti-social behaviour. Service standards will be monitored periodically for compliance and feedback will be used to improve and maximise the anti-social behaviour service provided.

There will be instances where cases of anti-social behaviour are not resolved. If these circumstances arise United Welsh will be able to demonstrate that every effort was taken by United Welsh staff to resolve the case and that all action taken was reasonable.

Prevention, Early Intervention, Enforcement and Rehabilitation
 
Anti-social behaviour is a wider community concern; it cannot be tackled by any one agency working in isolation. To eradicate such behaviour requires a partnership approach to achieve cohesive environments and build safer communities. A multi-faceted response of prevention, early intervention, enforcement and rehabilitation is required.   

Prevention/ Early Intervention
United Welsh aims to develop and support measures which prevent, deter or tackle the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour in the communities that we serve. We will use and share best practice with partner agencies and seek to develop new initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour. United Welsh will utilise early intervention techniques during the initial stages of a complaint. We will work to successfully resolve problems, making things better for everyone by enhancing the quality of life of those affected at the earliest possible stage.

United Welsh will consider using the following prevention/early intervention methods, including but not limited to:- 

Enforcement
Where anti-social behaviour is serious and persistent, we are committed to taking enforcement action when necessary, including but not limited to:-

► Injunctions
► Undertaking
► Notice Seeking Possession
► Anti-social Behaviour Orders (ASBO)
► Demoted tenancies
► Possession Orders
► Eviction

Rehabilitation
United Welsh will support rehabilitation initiatives, which seek to have a positive impact on the behaviour of perpetrators, particularly where anti-social behaviour is perpetrated by a member of a vulnerable group and is a consequence of drug abuse, alcohol abuse mental health or disability.

United Welsh will work with other agencies such as Mental Health Teams,

Drug Action Teams and community based organisations such as drug and alcohol support and mental health services in seeking to establish support packages.

Supporting Complainants 

United Welsh will encourage all affected by anti-social behaviour to work closely with us to help resolve the problem. We will support all complainants who are affected by anti-social behaviour throughout every step of the process, from the initial reporting stage to court and beyond. A specialist anti-social behaviour team will provide advice and offer various support measures to complainants and will work closely with partner agencies to offer the most suitable and practicable support available. Action will be taken against perpetrators of anti-social behaviour and complainants will be encouraged not to leave their home.

Multi-agency partnerships

United Welsh will liaise with other agencies and continually work to strengthen our links with partners in view of building safer communities. United Welsh will work within the multi-agency partnerships and agree to take part in appropriate information sharing protocols in its areas of operation. This will include residents and residents associations and other agencies including the Police, Probation, Local Authorities, Youth Services, Youth Offending Teams, Social Services, Education, Health Services and Drug Action Teams etc.

Staff resources for dealing with anti-social behaviour
 
United Welsh will ensure that all staff have access to up to date policies and procedures for dealing with anti-social behaviour. All staff dealing directly with anti-social behaviour will be provided with full training in order to deal with complaints efficiently and to carry out investigations thoroughly and consistently.  

Publicity

United Welsh may use publicity in successful legal action cases to deter offenders and to provide the community with the information they require to report any breaches of orders.

Complaints

Any complaints regarding the way in which a report of anti-social behaviour has been dealt with by United Welsh, will be investigated thoroughly using our Complaints and Compliments policy.

Reviews

United Welsh will ensure that policies and procedures for dealing with anti-social behaviour are reviewed annually and updated to reflect best practice and changes in the law and regulatory requirements.

If you experience a problem with anti-social behaviour or discrimination and want to know more about what you can do to help stop it, please contact our Customer Services team on 0800 294 0195 or e mail us tellmemore@uwha.co.uk