Anti-social behaviour policy and procedure
Procedure - case management process
Risk assessment
An initial assessment of each case is made to establish the circumstances that have led to the complaint and if the complainant has any vulnerability that we need to take into consideration during the investigation.
The assessment will be undertaken using our computer-based tool to ascertain the associated risk and in order to establish the priority category assigned to the case, which is also dependent on the seriousness of the allegations.
Categories for prioritisation
There are three categories given to incoming complaints.
High
These are most serious cases of ASB, requiring a timely and proportionate response.
These complaints relate to behaviour which requires a priority response and may include the following:
- acts of violence
- serious intimidation or threats of violence
- criminal behaviour affecting the local community (where it is deemed that a civil power is the most appropriate solution)
- serious misuse of public areas that affects the community
- cases previously deemed 'persistent' (see below), but have exhausted all prevention interventions and are serious enough to warrant further legal action.
In many of these cases action may be taken by us pursuing enforcement powers or by us working in partnership with agencies who are able to utilise safeguarding and/or criminal enforcement powers. However, informal approaches may be utilised prior to enforcement action if proportionate and appropriate, dependent on risk.
See the flowchart below:
Complaint received and case opened
|
Investigation
|
Risk persistence and supporting evidence is established
|
Yes No
| |
Legal actions commence and remedy sought Progress to Medium
|
Has the ASB stopped --- Yes
| |
No Review and close case
|
Review and manage breaches as appropriate
Medium
This includes the persistent cases of less serious allegations of ASB which do not require an urgent response. This may be the case where the evidence is not forthcoming or is from many sources and requires substantiating and investigation in order to pursue formal action.
These complaints relate to behaviour that is unreasonable, causes prolonged disturbance or persistent noise nuisance and will include the following:
- excessive noise, especially late at night, e.g. loud music, DIY
- rowdy or aggressive behaviour
- intimidation, harassment or verbal abuse
- hate crime not requiring legal action
- ASB behaviour from visitors to premises
These cases may be dealt with by pursuing early interventions, support and informal actions such as mediation or acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs). However, if the situation escalates, it may result in formal action being pursued.
See the flowchart below:
Complaint received and case opened
|
Investigation
|
Is it ASB?
|
Yes No
| |
Support and early interventions commence Signpost to relevant organisation
|
Has the ASB stopped --- Yes
| |
No Review and close case
|
Review and consider escalation to High
Low
This includes those cases involving low level incidents of anti-social behaviour. This would include complaints where there are no witnesses or lines of investigation. This may include incidents of:
- damage to property or communal areas
- nuisance caused by ball games
- isolated incidents
- intolerance or conflict of lifestyles
Advice and information will be provided in such cases, through either signposting to information available on our website or on occasions through contact by a suitably experienced officer. In appropriate cases mediation may be offered.
See the flowchart below:
Complaint received and case opened
|
Signposting and information shared with complainant
|
Case closed