While you should always report any ASB incident to your housing officer, you also need to contact your local police so that we can work together to help you. You can report any non-urgent ASB or nuisance issues on the non-emergency police number 101.
101 is the number to call when you want to contact your local police - when it’s less urgent than a 999 call. 101 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Leasowe Community Homes have a zero tolerance stance when it comes to Anti-Social behaviour and we take a proactive approach when dealing with ASB incidents. LCH believes that all residents have a right to live in quiet enjoyment and LCH will not tolerate residents causing a nuisance to their neighbours. Our Anti-Social Behaviour policy defines anti-social behaviour as follows: -
“Any act which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as the perpetrator”.
Anti-social behaviour causes real misery for people who simply want to get on with their lives. It ranges from serious acts of violence to more 'everyday' incidents like noisy dogs or overgrown gardens. Some examples of Anti-Social Behaviour include: -
- Criminal behaviour
- Violence or threats of violence
- Actual or threats of damage to property/possessions
- Drunken or loutish behaviour
- Nuisance/Harassment, including racial harassment
- Noise
- Any breaches of tenancy agreements
The Wirral ASB team work closely with the LCH Housing Officers to solve issues created by the small minority of residents who cause serious problems for others. We will always investigate a complaint about neighbours and intervene if we find the complaint to be justified and will use all tools available to us as a registered Social Landlord. The Policy document defines the measures it may take in tackling Anti-Social Behaviour, and these may include some of the following: -
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Starter Tenancies
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Acceptable Behaviour Contracts
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Court action, which may lead to a less secure tenancy or eviction
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Letters
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Discussions with the parties concerned
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Mediation
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Anti-Social Behaviour orders
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Injunctions
A copy of our Policy and Procedure is sent out in all cases of serious Anti-Social Behaviour or upon request.
I’m experiencing Anti-Social Behaviour…….. What do I do?
If you are experiencing Anti-Social Behaviour, we want to hear from you. You may not be the only person in the vicinity to be affected, and by sharing your experiences, you will make our case stronger against trouble makers.
Sometimes explaining to a neighbour that their behaviour is upsetting can be enough, but if the perpetrator is unreasonable, just walk away. Don't get involved in an argument. We can help you and we will deal quickly and efficiently with troublemakers.
In the first instance all reports of Anti-Social Behaviour should be made to your Housing Officer. You can either contact the office on 0151 678 0110 to make an appointment, or alternatively fill in the
Online ASB Report. The Housing Officers will then record and action your complaint. If you are unsure who looks after your area, click on
Who is my Housing Officer?
In some cases we may be able to sort out an issue fairly quickly. For example if someone has a garden overflowing with rubbish we will simply go round and check. We'll tell the tenant to get it cleaned up, and take action against them for breaking their tenancy agreement if they don't. However if the Anti-Social Behaviour is less obvious or is aimed directly at you, such as nuisance, harassment or abuse, we will need to talk to you before we start an investigation.
What Happens if You Need to Start an Investigation?
If you haven't already been in to see your Housing Officer, we will arrange an appointment for you within 24 hours. Some tenants like to come into the office and speak to our staff face-to-face, however we understand not everyone is physically able to do so and some tenants would rather discuss any problems over the phone.
In the interview you will be asked who is affected, how they have been affected, where it happened, and when it happened. We'll speak to other people in your household who have been affected too. We'll then draw up an action plan listing what you should do and what we will do to get the problem sorted out. We will ask you to submit any other evidence you have such as photographs, video or tape recordings. We can sometimes do this for you, but if the incident happens suddenly it may be best if you do it too. We might have to speak to other people who have witnessed the problem. It could be difficult to take the case any further without these other witnesses.
We may ask you, and others who may be affected, to keep a diary of incidents to use as evidence when we take action against perpetrators of Anti-Social Behaviour. You will be given a case code which you can use to fill in the online ASB Diary.
All serious Anti-Social Behaviour cases are monitored and reviewed at monthly ASB meetings. Our Housing Officers work closely with other agencies such as the police and fire service in pursuing such cases and LCH will also provide support to witnesses involved in Anti-Social Behaviour, where necessary.
If the evidence confirms the behaviour was Anti-Social, we will take action. In most situations we'll take a more step-by-step approach to try to get them to change, starting with interviewing the perpetrator. (You can ask us not to do this, however it will be difficult to take the case further.)
They will be advised to change their behaviour or risk legal action. If Anti-Social Behaviour continues after a final warning - or if someone is in danger - we will start legal action straight away. We will ask the court to give us:
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An Injunction - a legal order that instructs the perpetrator to stop acting anti-socially; or
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Anti-Social Behaviour order banning the perpetrator from coming into specific areas; or
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Permission to evict the responsible tenant (the tenant is responsible for their own behaviour and for the behaviour of anyone living with them or visiting their home).
Remember, if the Anti-Social Behaviour puts you, your family or your property in immediate danger, phone 999 and ask for the Police
Useful Numbers
Merseyside Police
0151 709 6010
Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team