Anti-social behaviour policy and procedure

Procedure - investigation

Contact

Contact will be made with complainants within 10 working days of receipt by the partnerships team, who will be responsible for the investigation of ASB complaints.

If the partnerships team are unable to contact the complainant after 3 attempts by telephone, a letter will be sent to encourage contact.

If the complainant does not contact us or the partnerships team within 10 working days of the letter being sent, the case will be closed

Evidence

We use discretion and professional judgement in deciding whether complaints should be investigated and in prioritising the case. During an investigation evidence is gathered objectively in a thorough and fair manner ensuring that it is unbiased and accurate. Any allegations and anonymous information is substantiated to the required legal standard before any legal action is considered.

All evidence is recorded and used in considering the most appropriate course or type of action to take. In doing so a number of factors will be considered:

  • the seriousness of the alleged offence or situation
  • the previous history of the individual or company
  • the consequences of non-compliance
  • confidence in a resolution without legal action
  • the public interest
  • the effectiveness of various enforcement options
  • the availability of other appropriate courses of action

There are a number of ways in which we will gather evidence to support a complaint, some examples are given below:

  • interviewing complainants
  • incident diaries
  • overt surveillance
  • obtaining information from other agencies
  • professional witnesses
  • interviewing perpetrators
  • review of sound monitoring equipment

Investigating officer's conclusions

During the investigation the investigating officer will come to one of three conclusions and act accordingly:

  • there is no evidence of anti-social behaviour and no further lines of enquiry. The complainant will be advised, information and support offered and the case closed
  • the behaviour is not considered to be anti-social or appropriate for further enforcement action. Information, support and early interventions, if appropriate, will be offered and the case closed
  • there is evidence of anti-social behaviour and the case will be progressed for support and early intervention or legal action if appropriate

If initial enquiries produce no further evidence to support the complaint

The complainant (and the alleged perpetrator if appropriate), will be advised in writing that no further action will be taken at this stage and the case will be closed. The complainant should record any further incidents in a diary and when there is sufficient evidence that anti-social behaviour is in occurrence a further case may be opened and linked to any previous information.

If investigations continue

Regular contact (as a minimum every three weeks) with the complainant, will be maintained by the partnerships team, to ensure that they are updated with progress and actions that have been taken.