Residents reminded on how to report anti-social behaviour
East Staffordshire Borough Council is reminding residents how to report anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the support available if ongoing issues are not being resolved.
The council works closely with partners, including Staffordshire Police, the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office, the NHS, and social housing providers, to tackle ASB and reduce its impact on individuals, families, and neighbourhoods.
The aim is to ensure residents feel safe in their homes and communities and can enjoy well-maintained neighbourhoods.
Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, anti-social behaviour is defined as behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to individuals, or behaviour capable of causing nuisance or annoyance in housing-related matters.
Examples of ASB can include persistent loud noise such as music or parties, intimidation, verbal abuse or threats, vandalism or damage to property, misuse of alcohol in public places, graffiti, harassment or hate-related incidents.
However, not all concerns reported as ASB meet the legal definition.
Criminal behaviour is dealt with by the police, and some issues – such as occasional household noise, children playing, cooking smells, routine domestic activities, one-off neighbour disputes or parking disagreements - are not classed as ASB and may not be subject to enforcement action.
Residents experiencing ASB are encouraged to report it as soon as possible so agencies can assess the situation and take appropriate action.
ASB involving housing association tenants should be reported to the relevant housing provider in the first instance, allowing them the opportunity to resolve the issue under their tenancy conditions.
Anti-social behaviour to East Staffordshire Borough Council can be reported online, by telephone on 01283 508506 or by email
Staffordshire Police can be contacted online or by dialling 101 for non-emergency incidents.
If a resident has reported ASB and is not satisfied with how it has been handled, they have the right to request an ASB Case Review, also known as the Community Trigger.
The ASB Case Review brings together agencies, including East Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire Police, the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office, the NHS and registered social housing providers to review how a case has been managed and identify further actions.
To be eligible, there must usually have been at least three incidents of ASB reported within the last six months. Only incidents that meet the legal definition of ASB can be considered.
The panel does not have powers to deal with issues such as planning matters, parking, domestic abuse or criminal activity such as drug supply.
Victims, or someone acting on their behalf with consent - such as a family member, councillor or MP - can request a review.
The victim is invited to attend the meeting to explain in their own words how the ASB has affected them. The panel considers reports from all agencies involved and can make recommendations for further action, which are tracked to ensure they are implemented.
East Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire Police and partner agencies have also signed up to the ASB Help Pledge, demonstrating their commitment to supporting victims and improving responses to anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Simon Slater (pictured), Cabinet Member for Communities and Regulatory Services, at East Staffordshire Borough Council, said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a real and lasting impact on people’s lives. We want residents to know they are not alone and that there are clear routes to report concerns, access support and ask for a case review if problems persist.”
Applications can be made for an ASB review online via Staffordshire Police.
Alternatively, applications can be in writing to Central Disclosure Unit, Staffordshire Police HQ, Weston Road, Stafford, ST18 0YY.
For further information about the ASB Case Review process, residents can contact the ASB Team at [email protected].
