Antisocial behaviour (ASB)

Antisocial behaviour refers to any persistent or harmful actions that negatively impact other people’s quality of life. As part of our commitment to creating safe and supportive homes and communities for our customers, we take a proactive approach to preventing and dealing with all forms of antisocial behaviour.

We believe that everyone has the right to live and work in a peaceful and respectful environment, so we aim to prevent antisocial behaviour before it starts. Our staff have training to identify and address potential issues, and we work together with customers to maintain a positive atmosphere in our properties. We ask that all our customers and their visitors are considerate of other people’s needs, and we commit to addressing any reports of antisocial behaviour promptly and effectively.

What is considered antisocial behaviour?

Antisocial behaviour can include, but is not limited to:

Vandalism, graffiti, or damage to properties
Noise – including loud parties, loud music, slamming doors, banging cupboards, revving car engines, DIY at unsociable hours and frequent visitors late at night.
Shouting, swearing, and fighting.
Intimidation through threats or actual violence.
Abusive behaviour aimed at causing distress or fear to certain people, such as elderly people or people with disabilities.
Dumping rubbish.
Animal nuisance, including dog fouling and dogs barking.

What is not considered antisocial behaviour?

Having a dispute with your neighbours can be upsetting, but someone’s behaviour may not be classed as antisocial if it's not persistent, or if there is no risk of harm. Examples such as these are not considered antisocial behaviour:

Cooking smells
Parking (including badly parked vehicles).
Children playing.
Neighbours doing DIY (at reasonable times of the day).
Noise caused by everyday living.
Religious or cultural practice.
A one-off party.

Day-to-day living noises, such as footsteps in a neighbouring property, children playing, household appliances, music or TV noise at a low level

Reporting antisocial behaviour

If you’re a Sanctuary Supported Living resident and you feel you’re experiencing antisocial behaviour, first report it to a member of staff at your service. We encourage open communication and take all reports seriously, and we will respond to any concerns as quickly and effectively as possible - your well-being is our top priority. Our team will assess whether it is antisocial behaviour, so that they can deal with it appropriately. They may ask for more information, so they can understand the impact it’s having, and they may ask you to keep a diary of events. Our staff will deal with the situation sensitively and will explain what action can be taken.

When we receive a report of antisocial behaviour, we take the following steps:

Investigation - We will investigate the reported behaviour, gathering information from the affected residents, witnesses, and any other relevant sources. We may also involve external agencies, such as the police or local authority, if necessary.
Support and Mediation - In some cases, we may offer support or mediation services to help resolve conflicts between residents. This can be a constructive way to address the root causes of antisocial behaviour and promote a positive community atmosphere.
Enforcement - If the antisocial behaviour persists or is of a serious nature, we may take enforcement action. This could include issuing warnings, imposing sanctions, or, in extreme cases, pursuing eviction proceedings. We will always follow legal procedures and work closely with external agencies when taking enforcement action.

Antisocial behaviour case review

If you’ve repeatedly reported a problem with antisocial behaviour and we haven’t taken action to address it, you can apply for a case review. To request a case review, contact your local authority and submit an application. For more detailed information on the process, including the criteria and application methods, visit your local council’s website. Find your local council. If you’d rather have a physical copy of our guidance, download our leaflet (PDF 85KB).