The government recognises that left unchecked, antisocial behaviour can have an overwhelming impact on individuals and the wider community. As part of its remit, the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 introduced specific measures the mean to have a say in the way that complaints of antisocial behaviour are dealt with.
The anti-social behaviour case review is one of these measures which “gives victims of persistent antisocial behaviour reported to any of the main responsible agencies (such as the council, police, housing provider) the right to request a multi-agency case review where a local threshold is met”.
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Case Reviews give victims and communities the right to request a review of their case and bring agencies together to take a joined up, problem solving approach to find a resolution.
The ASB Case Review exists to review previous actions and make recommendations through an action plan if appropriate. It does not replace the need to report incidents when they happen.
The definition of anti-social behaviour in this context is behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress to a member or members of the public. Generally, neighbourhood disputes (unless being used as harassment or intimidation) do not amount to criminality or anti-social behaviour and private civil remedies should be accessed by the individuals concerned instead.
Before you consider this option, please attempt to contact the Prevention and Enforcement Team and they can try and resolve issues in partnership.
Criteria
You can apply for an ASB case review:
- If you have made three or more qualifying complaints of anti-social behaviour within the last six months
- One of five individuals in the local community who have separately reported similar incidents, where you all feel dissatisfied with the action taken and all agree to raise the case review
Each of the incidents need to have been reported within one month of them taking place and you must apply for case review within six months of the latest incident. The victim can be a business, individual or a community group.
If the ASB Case Review threshold is met agencies will share information, review what action has been taken and decide if additional actions are possible.
To request an ASB Case Review
If you wish to escalate a complaint through the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Case Review, please ring 101 and the information will be recorded and passed to the relevant authority.
Complaints will be acknowledged within seven working days of receipt. The case will then be assessed to see if it is eligible to take forward.