Tools and powers to tackle ASB
Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities are given tools and powers to tackle ASB.
We have several options available to us to resolve reports of ASB from early intervention through to legal action. The list below outlines, but is not limited to, the tools and powers available to us. However, the use of these tools are subject to the alleged preparators housing type and nature of the issues.
The options of intervention include:
- Verbal and written warnings
- Good Neighbour Agreement
- Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC)
- Mediation
- Community Protection Warning (CPW)
- Community Protection Notice (CPN)
- Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO)
- Undertakings (agree to certain actions and behaviours)
The legal interventions include:
- Notice of Intent – to commence legal proceedings of any type
- Notice Seeking Possession (NOSP) – social housing tenants only
- Notice of Possession Proceedings (NPP) – social housing tenants only
- Notice to Extend Introductory Tenancies – social housing tenants only
- Civil Injunction order
- Partial and Full Closure Order
- Possession Proceedings – social housing tenants only
Before taking any legal action, warnings can be issued to the perpetrator(s), where evidenced. All warnings issued are recorded and monitored.
Any Court action will be a last resort.
Any legal interventions will only be taken once an Equality and Impact Assessment and a Public Sector Equality Duty Review has been completed and referred to our Legal Services Team, and these assessments deem legal action appropriate and proportionate.
Where ASB endangers life or property and requires immediate legal protection, urgent action will be taken. Court action can include Injunctions and ultimately Possession Proceedings. However, Possession Proceedings will only be pursued where all other actions to tackle the ASB have failed or where a tenant has been convicted of a serious criminal offence.
Legal action will take into account a perpetrator’s capacity as well as issues raised under the Equality Act 2010.
Investigating reports of ASB takes time and resources. If we consider a report to be malicious and/or vexatious, we may take action against the person reporting it.