Crime Prevention - Making Surrey Safer - Surrey Police

Anti-social behaviour

What is anti-social behaviour?

Why does ASB happen?

What are we doing to tackle ASB?

What do our partners do to help tackle ASB?

What you can do to help tackle ASB?

What is anti-social behaviour?
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity by an individual or a group that disrupts, damages or destroys someone else’s quality of life. It can include problems on the street, such as drunken or rowdy behaviour, drug dealing, aggressive begging and groups of people intimidating others inpublic. Abandoning cars, misusing fireworks, fly-tipping, graffiti and damaging private property are also types of anti-social behaviour.

Why does ASB happen?
ASB happens for many different reasons but there are several common factors that increase the risk of ASB taking place.
The family environment can impact on behaviour. There may be a history of ASB within a family, or conflict between family members. Poor parental supervision and poor discipline can also contribute towards youngsters committing ASB.
Low achievement at school and issues such as bullying can have a negative effect on youngsters. Frequent truancy or exclusion from school can also have a detrimental impact.
People involved in drugs or alcohol, or living in high crime rate areas are more likely to commit anti-social behaviour. Unemployment or low income can also exert pressures that provoke ASB.
Mental health issues or a history of problem behaviour can increase the chances of a person becoming involved in ASB.

What are we doing to tackle ASB?
Reducing anti-social behaviour is a top priority for Surrey Police and we address the problem in a number of ways. We believe that ASB is best nipped in the bud – early intervention and engagement can stop future outbreaks.
We use various tools to tackle ASB, depending on the individual offender and the type of behaviour in question. We also work closely with local councils and other agencies in a co-ordinated approach to ASB – and will always try to help an offender understand the consequences of their actions and try to discourage them from further bad behaviour. We are often able to identify the root of a problem and will work with the offender to address this.

If we need to take more formal action we can use any of the following means:

• Warning and support. This is the lowest level of formal intervention and is used for minor offences where the offender admits and accepts that they have done wrong and is receptive to advice and support. The warning is recorded and details are provided to the local Safer Neighbourhood Team.
• Anti-social Behaviour letters. These can be issued by any agency concerned with tackling ASB. We use a five letter system which escalates the level of warning depending on the type and severity of the behaviour. The letters describe the behaviour, advise the offender that they are being monitored and warn that enforcement will take place should the behaviour continue.
• Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC). A voluntary written agreement between the offender and the police or other agencies. An ABC lists the anti-social acts in which the offender has been involved and which they agree not to repeat. Support to address the root cause of the behaviour is always offered in conjunction with an ABC.
• Parenting contract. An informal agreement between a parent and an agency such as the police which aims to improve a young person’s behaviour. The contract may include, for example, a requirement for parents to ensure that their child is effectively supervised.
• Parenting order. Generally used if a parenting contract proves ineffective. A parenting order is a civil court order and can only be applied for by local authorities, such as social services and housing associations. The police cannot apply for a parenting order. A parenting order can last up to one year and may contain a requirement to attend a parenting programme.
• Fixed penalty notice and penalty notice for disorder. Police officers and some council officers can impose fines up to £80 for causing nuisance behaviour.
• Premises closure order. The police can shut down licensed premises causing a serious nuisance or properties in which people are involved in illegal drugs.
• Individual support order. A court order targeting 10-17 year-olds, designed to address problems behind bad behaviour and stop it immediately.
• Designated public place order. The police can limit the drinking of alcohol in certain areas. Police officers and PCSOs can also confiscate alcohol. Anyone refusing to co-operate can be prosecuted.
• Dispersal order. If groups of people are causing a nuisance, the police can move them away from an area and return under-16s home.
• Court penalty. This can include a fine, a curfew, probation or a prison sentence.
• Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO). An ASBO is a court order designed to stop a persistent offender committing anti-social behaviour. Breaching an ASBO is a criminal offence and can lead to fines or a prison sentence.

What do our partners do to help tackle ASB?
Your local council has powers to deal with:

• Abandoned vehicles
• Graffiti
• Damage to street furniture, such as street lights and signs
• Fly-tipping and littering
• Noise, including loud music, parties, noisy neighbours, alarms and noisy animals.

Surrey Fire and Rescue aims to reduce the number of fires started deliberately in abandoned cars and rubbish bins. The service works closely with young people to educate and raise awareness of the dangers of such behaviour.
Social landlords take action against nuisance tenants and those involved in ASB.

What you can do to help tackle ASB?

• Report it. If ASB is affecting your quality of life call 101 or click here to use the Surrey Police online reporting facility. If you feel threatened by the ASB or if it puts you in danger, call 999 immediately.
  If the ASB is a noise problem, contact your local council. If tenants are behaving badly, contact the landlord or housing association responsible for the property.
  Under the Data Protection Act, any report you make will be treated in confidence and your identity will not be revealed.
• Speak to your local neighbourhood police officer or PCSO or attend a local police panel meeting. Your neighbourhood has its own dedicated policing team which works closely with partners to keep you safe and tackle issues such as ASB. To contact your local officer or find out details of the next panel meeting click here.
• Record ASB activity in an Anti-social Behaviour Incident Diary in which you note when and where problems are happening. This includes:
  • Dates and times of incidences
  • Names or descriptions of those involved
  • Witnesses details
  • How the incident affects you and your family
• To request an Anti-social Behaviour Incident Diary and guidelines on how to complete it speak to your local police officer or PCSO either face to face or by calling 101. You can also email them. You can find out who you local officer is by visiting
  http://www.surrey.police.uk/neighbourhood/my_neighbourhood.asp
• Join your local Neighbourhood Watch group or your local residents’ or tenants’ association. Click here for more details.
• Use your judgement as to whether you can resolve the problem yourself by talking to the person responsible for the ASB – but do not put yourself at risk.

Whichever method you choose to report ASB we will record all the details and give you advice if appropriate. We will then contact the relevant department, such as your local neighbourhood policing team or anti-social behaviour manager. Between us we will decide what action to take and we will keep you informed of progress.