Anti-social Behaviour

What is Anti-social Behaviour (ASB)?

Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) is defined in the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 as “behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household".

Simply, an inconsiderate and deliberate act that causes nuisance or interferes with other residents’ rights to the peaceful enjoyment of their home and environment is deemed anti-social behaviour.

1. Persistent noise from loud music, shouting, banging doors.
2. Racial, homophobic or sexual harassment (covered by separate policy).
3. Physically or verbally aggressive or abusive behaviour towards others.
4. Criminal behaviour.
5. Nuisance from vehicles either from use, maintenance or abandonment.
6. Keeping premises in a state which is prejudicial to health.
7. Allowing animals to roam uncontrolled and to foul communal areas.
8. Leaving refuse lying around, especially items for drug taking.
9. Graffiti and deliberate damage to association property both communal and
   internal.
10. Selling or using drugs.
11. Prostitution.

I’m suffering from ASB what can I do?

If you are experiencing problems related to anti-social behaviour then ensure you contact IDS so may assist. If the situation is an emergency or a crime has been committed please contact the Police. There are several ways to report ASB, for more information click here.

How will my complaint be dealt with?

IDS will not tolerate acts of anti-social behaviour and we will use our robust ASB polices, tools and legal powers to demonstrate this.

IDS, through our ASB Policy aim to:

1. To provide an excellent service to our tenants.
2. To establish the seriousness of the complaint and take appropriate measures.
3. To investigate complaints of ASB and deal with them efficiently.
4. To allow tenants the right peacefully to occupy their premises.
5. To respect confidentiality and deal sensitively with complaints.

Receiving reports of ASB

Initial reports of ASB may be made directly by you or an agency such as the police, social services or education department.  The report may be made in person, in writing, e-mail or over the phone.  All complaints will be treated seriously and confidentially. 

The incident will be documented and the level of ASB seriousness will be assessed.  Minor ASB cases will be dealt with at a local level through your Estate Manager.  Should the incident be serious in nature then your Estate Manager will refer you to IDS specialist staff who will then assist you.

Dealing with an incident

IDS will work closely with you and devise a suitable course of action to manage the issue.  IDS will always take into account your needs and wishes when developing such plans and keep you informed throughout.

Resolving an ASB case

No one anti-social behaviour case is the same and so IDS will use a variety of different tools and powers to resolve cases. 

IDS will work with its multi-agency partners were necessary to provide support and specialist services.

If a problem is between other IDS tenants and it involves a breach of the Tenancy Agreement, we employ legal action against the offending tenant.

Legal options available to IDS include:

1. Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC)
2. Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO)
3. Housing Injunction
4. Parenting Order
5. Demotion of Tenancy
6. Eviction

A copy of the IDS Ant-Social Behaviour Policy can be found here

I want to report Anti-social Behaviour

There are various ways you can report anti social behaviour to IDS:

1. Speak to your estate manager
2. Contact the IDS Head Office
3. E-mail – click to email
4. Online Form – click for form

Safer Neighbourhood Teams

You can also contact the Metropolitan Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams.  These community-based teams will be able to assist you in cases of anti-social behaviour.  For more information about the Safer Neighbourhood Teams click here http://www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods/

If you are in any immediate danger then please ensure you contact the Police on 999 or if the incident is of a criminal nature please contact your local Police station for contact information.

How does IDS manage ASB?

Mediation

Often disputes between neighbours can often be resolved by simply talking to one another.  IDS would always suggest that if you’re having problems, for example with noise, then simply speaking to your neighbour will resolve the issue.

There are however, times where people may find it difficult to approach their neighbour so IDS offers access to different mediation services throughout the city.

Enforcement

Anti-social behaviour and its perpetrators will not be tolerated by IDS or those who live within its communities.  IDS will use the full spectrum of tools and powers it possesses to ensure its tenants do not have to suffer from the small minority who would act in such a manner.

Partnership

Tackling anti social behaviour and its causes can be a complex process, requiring expertise and skills from a wide range of disciplines. 

IDS works in partnership with various agencies and organisations throughout London to facilitate interventions, develop new preventative measures and undertake enforcement action.

The Respect Agenda

IDS are committed to the Governments Respect Agenda to tackle anti-social behaviour and in mid-2007 signed-up to the Respect Standards for Housing Management.  We will work to ensure that we adhere to the standards set in the agreement and will be monitored in achieving our goals.

For more information on the Respect Standards for Housing Management and what it means for you click here