What is anti-social behaviour? Behaviour that annoys, harasses
or causes a nuisance.
Harassment is usually deliberate, whereas nuisance or annoyance,
such as loud music, is often caused by thoughtless or uncaring
behaviour.
We need to assess an act of anti-social behaviour carefully.
For example, what may be seen as intimidating behaviour by one
person may not have any effect on another person.
So reports of anti-social behaviour may lead to a court order if
persistent of ASB but may not always lead to a court order or
repossession proceedings. Some examples of anti-social behaviour
include:
- verbal abuse, threats, hoax calls
- assault
- noise nuisance
- using or selling drugs (or both)
- dumping rubbish in gardens or outdoor areas of properties
- lack of hygiene in the home which could be a threat to the
health and wellbeing of customers
- criminal behaviour
- groups of people acting in an intimidating manner
- graffiti and vandalism and other damage to property
- nuisance from parked or abandoned vehicles
- using bikes, scooters and skateboards on footpaths and
balconies
- using motorbikes and mopeds anywhere other than a public
road
Our approach to anti-social behaviour
We will take action appropriately to the offence or anti-social
behaviour. We discourage anti-social behaviour at all times and
encourage victims to come forward as witnesses.
Our normal approach is to make sure that troublesome families or
individuals get support to help them to change their behaviour.
Then action is taken against those people who continue to cause a
nuisance.
We are committed to working with families and local agencies such
as the police, local authorities, education and health services,
social services and probation services as necessary.
In cases of conflict between neighbours, if there is a possibility
that conciliation/mediation could be effective, and we will try
this first.
Support for victims
We will support all victims and witnesses of anti-social
behaviour. We will discuss any possible legal action that maybe
taken against them, with everyone involved.
If a victim or witness needs urgent legal protection because of
threatened violence, we will take immediate action. We recognise
that everyone has a right to their chosen lifestyle, providing this
does not disrupt nor spoil the quality of life of others, but
implies some degree of tolerance of, and respect for, the needs of
others.
As a landlord we have a role to ensure that such rights and
obligations are respected and not violated.
Local authorities also have a wider role in promoting and
protecting the interests of people living within their area.
Our publications
Read the Genesis Housing Group
leaflet (pdf, 476Kb) on anti-social behaviour and
harassment.
Read the Genesis Housing Group
anti-social behaviour strategy (pdf, 93Kb).
Contact us
If you are experiencing problems
with anti-social behaviour or harassment then you can contact
us by:
Anti-social Behaviour Officer , Customer Services
Chelmsford office: 01245 228 957
Helpdesk service and out-of-hours emergencies: 08457 023 420
(This is a lo-call number and costs the same as a local phone call,
even if the call is from out of the area).
Email to our anti-social behaviour officer, Bernie
Butler.
Visit one of our offices or schemes, or write to:
Springboard House
2A Claughton Road
London E13 9PN