Antisocial behaviour 

Understanding antisocial behaviour

Antisocial behaviour (ASB) is behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm, or distress to a person outside of their household. It can include criminal and non-criminal behaviour.

There are 3 main categories of ASB:

1. Personal antisocial behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group.
2. Nuisance antisocial behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.
3. Environmental antisocial behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.

These are some types of ASB:

• vehicle abandonment
• vehicle nuisance or inappropriate use
• rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour
• rowdy or nuisance neighbours
• littering or drugs paraphernalia
• animal problems
• trespassing
• nuisance calls
• street drinking
• nuisance noise
• misuse of fireworks
• verbal abuse
• harassment
• intimidation and/or threatening behaviour

Find out more at Antisocial behaviour: how to get help.

Reporting ASB 

The agencies and organisations victims most commonly report ASB to are the police, local authorities and housing associations.

Local authorities and social landlords often publish how best to report ASB on their websites and may have specialist officers to deal with ASB. Social landlords have a responsibility to address ASB under the Neighbourhood and Community Standard (which requires registered providers of social housing to work in partnership with appropriate local authority departments, the police and other relevant organisations to deter and tackle anti-social behaviour and hate incidents in the neighbourhoods where they provide social housing).

Reporting to the police

You can report in confidence by:

• calling the 101 helpline (or 999 in an emergency)
• reporting an incident online
• speaking directly to police officers

Reporting to local authorities

You can report by:

• calling your local authority
• reporting on your council’s website

Find your local council

Reporting to social landlords

You can report by:

• calling your landlord via telephone
• contacting your housing officer
• using the website or your online account with your landlord

Support following ASB

If you are a victim of ASB, you may be able to access a range of support delivered both locally and at a national level. Your local area may have a community support officer that you can go to for information about support available. You can also speak to a law centre, your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau or the organisations listed below.

If you have reported criminal ASB to the police, you have the right under the Victims’ Code to be offered a referral to support services for victims. If you choose not to report to the police, you can still access these support services directly by contacting them yourself. Go to Find support for details.

If you are a witness to ASB which has been reported to the police and is going through the criminal justice system, you are entitled to expect the standards of care and support set out in the Witness Charter.

The organisations below may also be able to give advice and help you cope with the effects of antisocial behaviour, including mental health support:

• ASB Help
• Resolve
• Victim Support

ASB Case Review

If you are a victim of persistent ASB, you may be able to request an ASB Case Review. The ASB Case Review is a process where organisation identify if any further action can be taken to address ASB. It was previously known as a ‘Community Trigger’. Victims who have repeatedly reported ongoing problems of ASB have the right to request a review of their case where they believe their report has not been properly addressed. Eligibility for an ASB Case Review is set by the relevant bodies in a local area – local authorities, police, health partners and social housing providers – and in consultation with the Local Policing Body. An ASB Case Review allows agencies, including police, local authorities and social landlords, to share information about the case (e.g. the frequency of previous complaints), review actions taken, and decide whether there is more that can be done.

A Case Review can also be requested on behalf of a victim, with their consent. This means that a request can be made by a carer or family member, Member of Parliament, local councillor or other professional, on behalf of a victim.

For more information about the ASB Case Review process, visit Anti-social behaviour case review.

Find out how to apply for an ASB Case Review in your area from your local police force or your local council.

Making a complaint

If you are unsatisfied with how your report has been dealt with, in addition to an ASB Case Review (above), you can also log a complaint with the agency in question, contact the Housing Ombudsman Service (if you are a tenant or leaseholder of a local authority or housing association, and have exhausted the your landlord’s complaints process), or the Local Government Ombudsman if you have complained to your local authority. You may also want to contact your local councillor about your concerns. Councillors are often able to bring their expertise and local knowledge to resolve your complaint at a local level. The name and telephone number of your Councillor can be found at your town hall or at WriteToThem.

Going to court

Reporting some types of ASB may lead to criminal proceedings. Under the Victims’ Code, if you are a victim of crime, you have a right to be kept updated about the case and your role as a witness. It may be some time before a trial takes place. Some types of ASB may also lead to civil proceedings and your landlord should inform you what level of support they can offer you through this process.