How do we define antisocial behaviour?
The legal definition of anti-social behaviour is:
- 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
ASB, Crime & Policing Act 2014
Definition of languages used
- Harassment: is aggressive pressure or intimidation of an individual. E.g., being verbally abused
- Alarm: is anxious awareness of danger / makes (someone) feel frightened, disturbed or in danger
- Distress: is extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain / causing (someone) the feelings of anxiety, sorrow, or pain
- Nuisance: is something or someone that annoys or causes trouble for someone
- Annoyance: is the feeling of being slightly angry
Within the definition there is certain legal criteria we need to evidence and reach.
But what does this mean?
Anti-social behaviour covers many types of behaviour that vary in nature and severity, many of which are open to interpretation.
Each report is assessed to determine whether it is anti-social behaviour, by reviewing all available information. If it is not anti-social behaviour it will not be dealt with as such and the complainant will be advised of the reasons why.
We take reports of anti social behaviour seriously and will always consider the impact it has on victims and communities and tailor our response accordingly. When investigated as anti-social behaviour, the action taken must be both reasonable and proportionate, taking into account all the facts of the complaint and the victim. There will often be difficult decisions to make at times, which may mean that the action taken is not considered adequate by the victim. However, the reasons why decisions have been made in all circumstances will be explained. However, the reasons why decisions have been made in all circumstances will be explained.
Issues that could constitute as anti-social behaviour include (and is not limited to);
- Noise nuisance
- Intimidation and/or threatening behaviour
- Littering or Fly-tipping
- Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property or vehicles
- Using or dealing drugs
- Street drinking
- Rowdy behaviour in public
- Abandoned or burnt out cars
- Arson
- Neighbour nuisance
What isn't anti-social behaviour?
Some examples of behaviours which are NOT generally considered as anti-social behaviour include:
- Young people playing in parks and gardens (with no associated anti social behaviour)
- Disagreements between members of individual households. Please find more information on our disputes with neighbours webpage
- Inconsiderate parking. Please find more information on our nuisance parking and abandoned vehicles webpage
- Disputes over property and boundaries. You can get advice from the citizens advice bureau or consult a solicitor
- Business activities associated with either commercial or private premises
- Private use of CCTV and Smart Doorbells e.g. Ring Doorbell
Sharing information
Agencies use a multi-agency case management system to record and respond effectively to reports received in relation to anti-social behaviour. Should you require any details about what information is shared, and who it is shared with please contact the agency directly. Please visit our privacy webpage to view our full privacy policy.
Our commitment and expectations
What we ask of you:
- Report the behaviour
- Give details: to enable us to collate information of what is occurring, the persistence of the behaviour and the impact it is having
- Keep a record of the behaviour: we will ask people affected by the behaviour to complete a diary, or possibly a written statement to evidence what they have experienced
In return, we will:
- Record all complaints received, and will give advice
- Remain in regular contact with you and offer support
- Agree an action plan with you so that you are aware of action being taken and what is expected from you at each stage
- Look at the facts and assess the type, extent and seriousness of the problem and decide what action is necessary and proportionate to help resolve it
- We will consider a range of enforcement powers to enable us to deal with various types of ASB. These powers are incremental and usually start with a letter advising someone to cease their ASB. If these steps are not effective, action can ultimately be taken through the courts
Contact details
North Kesteven District Council
Telephone 01529 414155 and ask for the anti-social behaviour team.
Contact our anti-social behaviour team by email: ASB@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Report anti-social behaviour by visiting our reporting webpage.
Contact our anti-social behaviour team by post: Anti-Social Behaviour Team, District Council Offices, Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7EF
North Kesteven District Council Tenants
If you wish to complain about anti-social behaviour from a neighbour, please call 01529 414155 and ask for Neighbourhood Services.
Similarly, you can report anti-social behaviour by visiting our reporting webpage.
Lincolnshire Police
Visit the Lincolnshire Police website
Vexatious complainants
We have a policy in place to deal with complainants who we believe to be unreasonable, vexatious and / or untruthful. The policy outlines what will happen in the event that a complainant appears not to be telling the truth, motivated by malice, unreasonable or otherwise undeserving of support through enforcement action.
For further details, or to request a copy of the policy please get in touch with the Community Safety Team via the telephone number or e-mail address in the section above.
Alternatively, you can view our Policies webpage to view the unacceptable customer behaviour policy in full.
Safer Lincolnshire Partnership
The Safer Lincolnshire Partnership is the single multi-agency forum for addressing community safety issues across Lincolnshire. For information on the Partnership including, it’s aims and objectives, its current key priorities as well as a list of agencies that form the partnership please visit the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership Lincolnshire County Council webpage