What is Anti-social Behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour can cover a wide range of situations ranging from minor neighbour disputes arising from a difference in life styles to serious criminal behaviour.

To describe anti-social behaviour we refer to the following broad definitions as found in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, the Housing Act 1996 and the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014:

conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person,
conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person's occupation of residential premises, or;
conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person.

Examples of ASB	Not considered ASB
Excessive noise (especially late at night) Threatening or swearing at neighbours Criminal activity Nuisance caused by animals Vandalism Assault or physical violence including domestic violence Dumping of litter or rubbish Racist or homophobic abuse or graffiti	People mowing their lawns or carrying out other garden maintenance at reasonable times and frequency People vacuuming or using other domestic appliances at reasonable times and frequency People carrying out DIY repairs at reasonable times Noise generated by everyday living, i.e. walking up stairs Cooking Smells Children playing in their homes or garden Children playing ball games Some parking issues

Examples of ASB

Not considered ASB

Excessive noise (especially late at night)
Threatening or swearing at neighbours
Criminal activity
Nuisance caused by animals
Vandalism
Assault or physical violence including domestic violence
Dumping of litter or rubbish
Racist or homophobic abuse or graffiti

People mowing their lawns or carrying out other garden maintenance at reasonable times and frequency
People vacuuming or using other domestic appliances at reasonable times and frequency
People carrying out DIY repairs at reasonable times
Noise generated by everyday living, i.e. walking up stairs
Cooking Smells
Children playing in their homes or garden
Children playing ball games
Some parking issues

What can I do about Anti-Social Behaviour?

Please see the guidance below about what you can do in different situations.

Problem	Guidance information
Neighbour problems	If the problem is with a neighbour then we recommend that you try and talk to the neighbour to see if the problem can be sorted out between you. You should only take this action if you feel it is safe and appropriate to do so. Once you have spoken to the neighbour, allow a reasonable time before doing anything more, to see if there is any improvement. If there is no improvement then report anti-social behaviour online .
Actual or threatened violence and/or damage.	If the anti-social behaviour includes someone being: violent or threatening you with violence damaging or threatening damage to your property you should contact Essex Police (opens new window) immediately, then contact the Anti-social Behaviour Team.
Hate crime	We take any allegations and incidents of hate crime very seriously and we will help any resident who is a victim of hate crime. If a tenant or a leaseholder (or a member of their household or visitor to their property) threatens, abuses or insults anyone in this manner they risk prosecution and could lose their home. If you are the victim of any hate crime you should contact Essex Police (opens new window) immediately, then contact the Anti-social Behaviour Team. Downloadable: Basildon Council - Hate Crime Policy (PDF, 428 KB)(opens new window)
Noise nuisance	If the problem is noise nuisance you should contact Basildon Council's Environmental Health Services.
Youth nuisance and other problems	Any other reports of anti social behaviour such as youth nuisance should be reported to the Anti-social Behaviour Team with details of the problem.

Anti-Social Behaviour Policy

Section 12 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 introduced Section 218A of the Housing Act 1996, which placed a requirement on all social landlords (local housing authorities, Registered Social landlords and Housing Action Trusts) to prepare and publish statements and summaries of their policies and procedures in relation to Anti-social behaviour.

Basildon Council's Anti-social behaviour policy and procedure has been put in place to ensure that tenants and residents of Basildon can clearly see the commitment that is made by Basildon Council to tackling ASB within the Borough and what happens when Anti-social behaviour is reported. It explains in detail the resources available to tackle Anti-social behaviour and what action Basildon Council can take.

Downloadable: Basildon Council - Anti-social Behaviour Policy 2017-2020 (PDF, 558 KB)(opens new window)

Anti-Social Behaviour app

Basildon Council's ASB app makes it easier for residents to report issues of ASB. Residents can take photos or videos through the app, upload photos and videos taken previously, as well as recordings of excessive noise. Residents can also upload diary sheets detailing the nuisance they have witnessed, and send it directly to their case officer.

The app is available to those who have an open ASB case with Basildon Council, if their issue has continued after an initial investigation.

You can help reduce anti-social behaviour in your area

report all incidents of anti-social behaviour to us in order that we can monitor the situation and prioritise our patrols accordingly
report any criminal activity to the Police
support the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in your area
attend local community meetings
join our anti-social behaviour customer focus group. If you are interested please Email the Anti-Social Behaviour Team at Basildon Council who can give you more details.