Anti Social Behaviour
Gedling Homes recognises the impact of crime and anti social behaviour
on residents and communities. As an organisation it is committed
to playing a lead and taking an active role in developing strategies and actions
for tackling and preventing anti social behaviour.
The Crime & Disorder Act 1998 defines anti-social behaviour as behaviour
that caused or was likely to ‘cause harassment, alarm or distress
to one or more persons not of the same household as (the defendant).’
The list below illustrates some types of anti-social behaviour but
is not exhaustive
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Noise
-
Violent Behaviour
-
Criminal Behaviour
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Intimidation
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Verbal Abuse
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Harassment including Racial Harassment
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Abandoned Vehicles
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Fly tipping and Littering
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Graffiti and Vandalism, (including damage to property)
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Supply of drugs
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Domestic Abuse
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Dog fouling and uncontrolled dogs
Gedling Homes
believes that every person has an entitlement to enjoy life in their
own way, providing they do not adversely affect the lives of those
living and working around them.
We believe that nobody should have to live with anti-social behaviour
and in partnership with Gedling Borough Council, the police, residents
and other local agencies we are determined to deal with all forms
anti-social behaviour and to improve the lives of tenants and residents
across Gedling borough.
How do I report anti-social behaviour?
We aim to make it as easy as possible for you to report Anti-Social
Behaviour.
To report Anti Social behaviour during office hours please call
ourselves on 0115 9051550. Alternatively you could call our 24 hour
freephone number on 0808 1456555 outside of normal office hours
or e mail us at enquiries@gedlinghomes.co.uk.
We realise that sometimes people who witness or who are subject
to anti-social behaviour do not report the incident for fear of
reprisal. We recognise that people are often reluctant to talk about
their experiences and we encourage them to report any incidents
in a secure and confidential manner.
We have a specialist Anti Social Behaviour Officer who works closely
with our Housing Officers to tackle this issue and challenge the
behaviour of the perpetrators as well as offering support to victims
of anti social behaviour.
What happens when I report Anti-Social Behaviour?
When you report anti-social behaviour to us, we will:
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Interview you in private and take details of your case.
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Give you advice on our policies and procedures.
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Give you
an Incident Diary sheet to complete. We will explain how to
complete it and what it is for. Please
click here to download
one.
Diary sheets must be completed
-
Provide you
with information on other people who may be able to help you.
For example, the Police or an independent Mediation service
that offers free and impartial mediation service to help people
resolve conflicts.
-
In serious
cases, for example where a violent or racially motivated incident
has occurred, we will act immediately and appropriately.
We will:
-
Deal with
your case as quickly as possible.
-
Contact the
person(s) you complained about. We will work with them to resolve
the problem, issue appropriate warnings and take any necessary
action.
-
Work with
other agencies (e.g. the Police, Environmental Health and Social
Services) to try and resolve the problem.
-
Keep any
information you give us strictly confidential.
-
Ask your
permission if we need to share your information with another
agency.
-
If legal
action is required we may need to disclose information to the
defendant or their solicitor. We will only do this with your
permission.
-
Keep you
informed of progress.
The prevention
of anti social behaviour is key to Gedling Homes’ approach to
management of this issue. The way in which we aim to reduce it occurring
are
by the use of the following methods;
-
Mediation
-
Offering
floating support to tenants in need
-
Offering
Starter tenancies
-
Carrying
out New Tenant visits to ensure Tenancy Conditions are being
upheld
-
Carrying
out quarterly estate visits
-
Carrying
out annual tenancy checks to ensure Tenancy Conditions are being
upheld
-
Early intervention
with young people
-
Designing
out crime in our communities
-
Encouraging
behaviour change in perpetrators of ASB
-
Multi agency
partnerships
Supporting Witnesses
Our Witness Support Policy and Procedure identifies the type of
support
available to witnesses and complainants and may include some of
the
following although this list is not exhaustive;
-
Out of hours
service
-
Nominated
contact officer.
-
Regular contact
from nominated officer.
-
Escorted
to and from any Court hearings.
-
Expenses
paid when acting as a witness.
-
Pre-Court
hearing visits and briefings.
-
Post Court
support and de-brief.
-
Post case
closure follow up contact and continued support for as long
as is reasonably required and practical.
Your Responsibilities as a Tenant
When you have accepted a Gedling Homes tenancy you will be issued
with a Tenancy Agreement that details your responsibilities regarding
your home. Your agreement outlines your responsibilities regarding
anti-social behaviour. You are responsible for the behaviour of
every person (including children) living in the property, whether
temporarily or permanently and for the behaviour of any visitor
(including children) to the property.
Your Tenancy
Agreement states
5.2 You must not
5.2.1 do anything or allow anything to be done in the premises or communal areas or the locality which causes or would be likely to cause nuisance, annoyance or harassment to:
(a) anyone living in or visiting in the locality;
(b) any person or people engaged in a lawful activity in the locality;
If your tenancy conditions are breached, Gedling Homes will investigate
the matter and could take legal action against you or someone living
with, or visiting you, in order to prevent the further occurrence
of acts of nuisance, harassment or anti-social behaviour.
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