What is Anti-social Behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour is any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages or destroys another person's quality of life. Anti social behaviour is legally defined as someone acting 'in a manner that caused, or was likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same house hold as himself'.

The new coalition government have stated that they will review the way that we deal with anti social behaviour and this will prompt new legislation. Home Office guidance for dealing with anti social behaviour already has more of an accent on dealing with, and supporting the victim.

Meanwhile the definitions which will be applied to the way we deal with anti social behaviour within Lincolnshire, are;

1 Anti Social Behaviour definition is the behaviour by an individual or group that results in;

another party feeling personally threatened
creates a public nuisance, or
has a detrimental impact upon the the environment and thereby has a detrimental effect upon the quality of life of an individual or the community as a whole

2 Vulnerable Victim of Anti Social Behaviour definition is;

a vulnerable person is one whose experience and/or effect of harm as a result of the incident is likely to be more significant because of their individual personal circumstances.

3 Repeat Victim of Anti Social Behaviour definition is;

repeat victimisation occurs when the same person or address is subjected to a third incident of ASB within a rolling 12 month period.

This will bring Lincolnshire Police, ourselves, and all other partners in line with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the national position, and shows unity as a county when dealing with anti social behaviour.

Anti social behaviour usually falls into 3 categories:

Street problems which can include...

Yobbish behaviour and intimidating groups taking over public spaces
anti-social drinking
Begging
Dealing and buying drugs in public
Street racers / driving anti socially
Mini motos

Nuisance neighbours can include...

Noise
Intimidation
Harassment
Criminal damage
Rowdiness
Animals

Environmental Anti-social behaviour includes;

Graffiti
Fly tipping
Littering
Vandalism
Arson
Misuse of fireworks

How anti-social behaviour affects us:

Anti social behaviour (ASB) impacts negatively on all people, young, and old in all communities. It reduces the quality of life for all residents.

For example, a rowdy family can have a big impact on the nearby community and can ruin people's lives because of their intimidation, harassment or criminal damage.

Graffiti and fly tipping doesn't look good and has a huge impact on our communities and how happy we are in them not to mention the costs of cleaning up.

Why does Anti-Social Behaviour happen?

There are many factors that could cause the risk of anti-social behaviour happening.

From poor parenting skills to unchallenged bad behaviour and from deprivation to drug and alcohol abuse.

What you can do

If you are experiencing problems with anti-social behaviour, or have any concerns about it, or other community safety issues, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Feel free to use the diary sheet below to record your incident and then, please contact us. You may find the guidance leaflet useful or you could visit the Incident Diary page for more information.