Tackling anti-social behaviour

There are times when we all find it difficult to live close to other people. Therefore it is important to be considerate to your neighbours and those who live around you. But if you do have problems, there is action that can be taken.

 

 

Anti-social behaviour is behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to other people. It covers a range of issues from annoying things like loud music to serious acts of violence or harassment.

 

Examples of anti-social behaviour are:

 

Use of threatening or violent behaviour

Drug dealing

Noise

Dumping rubbish

Racist abuse

Causing damage to neighbours homes or property

 

 

The tenancy conditions outline the responsibilities of the tenant, which include their behaviour towards others. If those conditions are breached the council has grounds to commence action and, if serious enough, could lead to the eviction of the tenant.

 

A tenant is responsible for the behaviour of every member of their household, including children, visitors, and lodgers. This applies whether they are in the home, in any shared area around the home, or the surrounding neighbourhood.

 

 

Many problems only occur because people are not considerate of others. Sometimes they do not even realise they are causing a nuisance. Unless you are suffering from serious anti-social behaviour such as threats, violence or harassment, we would encourage you to try and resolve the problem at an early stage before it escalates.

 

If you are having a problem with your neighbour at no time should you retaliate or do anything to provoke the other person as this will only make the problem worse. If the problem continues or you are unable to speak to the person causing the problem you should contact us.

 

You can report any problem to us on 01384 818283, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

 

You can email us at callcentre.housing@dudley.gov.uk or write to the Directorate of Adult, Community and Housing Services, Capstan House, Waterfront East, Brierley Hill, Dudley DY5 1XL

 

 

We will take your complaint seriously in a sensitive and confidential manner. We will listen to you and provide advice on what can be done.

 

Once you have reported an incident to us an interview will be arranged within five working days. However, if you are experiencing violence or threats of violence you will receive an appointment within 24 hours.

 

After talking to you we will draw up a written plan to tackle the problem. We will only take action with your agreement. We will also keep you updated at least every 10 working days.

 

It is important to keep a record of incidents as and when they occur as this information will be useful at a later date when deciding on the most appropriate course of action. Your local housing manager can supply you with diary sheets and advice on how to fill them in. If we are unable to take action on your behalf, we may be able to refer you to another agency or advise you on what alternative action you can take.

 

 

Our aim is to resolve the problem and we will use a range of methods to bring about a satisfactory conclusion to the problem. Each case is individual and may require more than one method to resolve it. Actions that can be considered include:

 

 

In serious cases legal action can be considered especially where other forms of action have been tried and the problem has not been resolved. However, legal action can only be taken if there is sufficient proof, which may mean that you have to be prepared to go to court. We can help and support this. Legal action can include:

 

 

 

The definition of racial harassment is ‘violence, threat or intimidation which may be verbal or physical, and which involves attacks on property as well as on the person, suffered by individuals or groups because of their colour, race, nationality or ethnic group when the victim or complainant believes that the perpetrator was acting on racial grounds and/or there is evidence of racism.’

 

We will take action against you if you, members of your household, or your visitors are involved in any form of racial harassment. This may result in you losing your home, and prosecution.

 

If you are the victim of racial harassment you should call the police and your housing manager. We will always fully investigate reports of harassment.

 

Our aim is to stop harassment and lift the threat of further incidents by:

 

 

The service we provide will be:

 

 

Please do not suffer in silence - you are able to report incidents or just seek help and advice without any obligation from your housing manager. You can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 01384 818283.

 

 

The council takes domestic abuse very seriously and is keen to see a reduction in the number of incidents of domestic abuse in Dudley. We recognise the need to both enhance the quality of advice and information available and the range of facilities to respond to people who have to flee their homes. Our definition is:

 

‘Domestic abuse is all kinds of physical, sexual, economic and psychological abuse between family and household members or partners in existing or previous relationships.’

 

We will investigate all incidents meeting this definition. When applicants or tenants report domestic abuse, our aim is to prevent any further abuse or threat of abuse by:

 

 

The service we provide will be:

 

 

Domestic abuse is a crime. No one has the right to be violent or abusive towards you. For help call us on 01384 812345. Alternatively, call the domestic violence helpline (24hrs) 0808 2000 247 or the victim support helpline (24hrs) 0845 3030900. In an emergency call 999.