Anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour can be a real cause for concern. It doesn’t just make life unpleasant, it holds back the regeneration of disadvantaged areas and creates an environment where more serious crime can take hold.

The legal definition of anti-social behaviour is*:

a) conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm, or distress, to any person,

b) conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person’s occupation of residential premises, or

c) conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person

*ASB, Crime & Policing Act 2014

But what does this mean?

Anti-social behaviour covers many types of behaviour that vary in nature and severity, many of which are open to interpretation.

Each report is assessed to determine whether it is anti-social behaviour, by reviewing all available information. If it is not anti-social behaviour it will not be dealt with as such and the complainant will be advised why.

When investigated as anti-social behaviour, the action taken must be both reasonable and proportionate, taking into account all the facts of the complaint and the victim. There will often be difficult decisions to make at times, which may mean that the action taken is not considered adequate by the victim. However, the reasons why decisions have been made in all circumstances will be explained.

Types of anti-social behaviour that can be reported to us:

• Intimidation/bullying
• Rowdy/nuisance behaviour
• Verbal abuse/threats
• Youths causing annoyance

What isn’t anti-social behaviour?

Some examples of behaviours which are NOT generally considered as anti-social behaviour include:

• Young people playing in parks and gardens, streets or other public spaces, including playing football (with no associated anti-social behaviour)
• Disagreements between members of individual households.
• Groups of people congregating in streets or public spaces for social purposes unless there is rowdy or abusive behaviour. If there is disorder this should be reported to Humberside Police
• Inconsiderate parking
• Harassment or public disorder that are considered to be crimes which should be reported to Humberside Police
• Disputes over property and boundaries (you can get advice from the citizen’s advice bureau or consult a solicitor)
• Business activities associated with either commercial or private premises
• Private use of CCTV and Smart Doorbells e.g. Ring Doorbell
• Rough sleeping. This does cause public concern but there are several support options in place to try to help the individuals and address public concerns regarding this

If you feel you are a victim or repeat victim of Anti-Social Behaviour please report it.

View the Charter for Victims of Anti-Social Behaviour (PDF, 160KB) .

To report criminal offences please contact Humberside Police on telephone number 101:

• Dealing or buying drugs on the street
• Prostitution
• Street drinking
• Vandalism
• Aggressive begging

To report other nuisance behaviour go to our nuisance behaviour page.