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Anti-social Behaviour

Anti-Social Behaviour

Dealing with persistent noise disturbances, vandalism, harassment, or other forms of disruptive, anti-social behaviour can be incredibly distressing. Not to mention that it can sometimes escalate to a point where it poses a threat to your safety and that of your loved ones.

At Lawhive, we believe everyone deserves to live in a peaceful and safe environment. We also understand the emotional and practical challenges you may be facing related to anti-social behaviour. As such, our network of experienced neighbour dispute lawyers is here to provide the expert support you need to reclaim serenity and peace, both in your environment and mind.

From initial advice and evidence gathering to filing complaints and representing you in court, we offer a full range of affordable legal services tailored to your needs through our intuitive online platform.

• What is anti-social behaviour?

• Examples of anti-social behaviour

• How to deal with anti-social behaviour

• What legal actions can I take against a neighbour for anti-social behaviour?

• What is a Community Protection Notice?

• What evidence do I need to prove anti-social behaviour?

• Can the police help with anti-social behaviour?

• What should I do if my neighbour retaliates after I report them for anti-social behaviour?

• Can mediation help resolve neighbour disputes involving anti-social behaviour?

• How do local councils deal with anti-social behaviour?

• Can I take legal action if anti-social behaviour is discriminatory?

• What is the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014?

Don't let anti-social behaviour disrupt your life any longer.

Contact us today to speak with one of our Legal Assessment Specialists and get a fixed-fee no-obligation quote for the services of a specialist lawyer to support you in taking back control and enjoying the peace you deserve.

What is anti-social behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour is any action that causes harm, distress, or annoyance to other people.

It can include a wide range of activities that disrupt the peace and comfort of a community or individuals, making them feel unsafe and unhappy in their homes and neighbourhoods.

Examples of anti-social behaviour

Common examples of anti-social behaviour include:

• Playing loud music, shouting, or making excessive noise, especially at night.

• Vandalism such as graffiti, breaking windows, or other forms of destruction to property.

• Harassment.

• Leaving rubbish in public places or dumping waste illegally.

• Public drunkenness.

• Using or dealing drugs in public.

• Allowing pets to cause a nuisance, such as constant barking or not cleaning up after them.

How to deal with anti-social behaviour

If you are dealing with anti-social behaviour in your neighbourhood regularly you should keep a record of incidents, noting dates, times, what happened, and who was involved.

If you feel safe, consider speaking to the person causing the problem. Explain how their actions are affecting you and ask them to stop.

You might also consider speaking to other neighbours to see if they are experiencing the same issues. You may be able to work together to keep your area safe by starting or joining a neighbourhood watch group.

If the anti-social behaviour continues, you can contact your local council to report it. Often, they have teams that deal with such issues and should offer advice and support.

If the anti-social behaviour is criminal or you feel threatened, you should contact the police, either on the non-emergency number (101) or 999 if it's an emergency.

In some circumstances, you may wish to explore legal actions against neighbours, such as an injunction. In the first instance, you should seek advice from a neighbour dispute solicitor for guidance on the best actions related to your case.

At Lawhive, we offer free case evaluations for neighbour disputes. This involves a 10-15 minute telephone call with a Legal Assessment Specialist who will ask questions about your matter and recommend the best course of action based on the situation.

Contact us today to schedule your free evaluation and get a no-obligation quote for the services of a specialist lawyer.

What legal actions can I take against a neighbour for anti-social behaviour?

If you are dealing with anti-social behaviour from a neighbour, legal actions available to you include:

• Reporting it to the local authorities, such as your local council or Environmental Health if the behaviour involves noise or pollution.

• Involving the police.

• Requesting a Community Protection Notice if the anti-social behaviour is persistent and affecting your quality of life.

• Applying for an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction.

• Filing a nuisance claim in the County Court.

The police or local council can also apply for either a Criminal Behaviour Order if the individual has been convicted of an offence and their behaviour has caused harassment, alarm, or distress. This imposes restrictions on the individual to prevent future anti-social behaviour.

Alternatively, if the anti-social behaviour involves excessive noise, the local council may issue a Noise Abatement Notice. If your neighbour does not comply with this notice, they may face fines or prosecution.

What is a Community Protection Notice?

A Community Protection Notice aims to stop ongoing anti-social behaviour that is having a detrimental effect on the community. It requires the person or organisation responsible to stop the behaviour and take steps to fix the situation.

Local council offers and police officers can issue Community Protection Notices following a written warning.

Some examples of behaviour that are addressed by a Community Protection Notice include:

• Drunken or threatening behaviour

• Vandalism and graffiti

• Playing loud music at night.

What evidence do I need to prove anti-social behaviour?

Types of evidence you can use to prove anti-social behaviour include:

• Incident log

• Photos of damage or vandalism

• Time-stamped videos - if it is safe to record them

• Witness statements from neighbours or other witnesses

• Audio recordings of excessive noise

• Threatening or abusive emails, texts, or messages

• Screenshots of relevant social media posts or messages

• Environmental Health or police reports

• Medical reports (if the anti-social behaviour has affected your health)

• Insurance claims made for property damage resulting from antisocial behaviour

• Receipts and bills for any repairs needed due to the behaviour.

Can the police help with anti-social behaviour?

Police have several powers at their disposal to address and mitigate anti-social behaviour.

In the first instance, they can respond quickly to protect you if you feel threatened.

The police can also issue:

• Verbal or written warnings

• Community Protection Notices

• Criminal Behaviour Order

What should I do if my neighbour retaliates after I report them for anti-social behaviour?

If your neighbour retaliates after you report their anti-social behaviour, inform either the police or your local council about the retaliation.

You might also consider applying for an injunction against your neighbour to protect yourself against further harassment.

To explore this option in further detail, speak with a solicitor who specialises in anti-social behaviour and harassment cases. They will provide legal advice and help you apply for an injunction or other protective measures.

If you feel threatened or are in immediate danger, call 999.

Can meditation help resolve neighbour disputes involving antisocial behaviour?

Mediation can be an effective way to resolve neighbour disputes involving anti-social behaviour. This form of alternative dispute resolution is often less expensive than legal proceedings and encourages open and honest communication between neighbours, which can help clear up misunderstandings and reduce tension.

However, mediation requires both parties to be willing to participate and compromise. Therefore, if one party is unwilling, mediation is unlikely to succeed.

Further, if the anti-social behaviour involves criminal activity or poses a significant threat to safety, mediation may not be appropriate. Instead, involving the police or obtaining an injunction may be necessary.

How do local councils deal with anti-social behaviour?

For less severe cases of anti-social behaviour, the council may issue informal warnings to the person or people responsible, advising them to stop the disruptive activities. Councils may also offer mediation services to help resolve disputes between neighbours.

If the behaviour continues the council can issue a:

• Community Protection Notice

• Noise Abatement Notice

• Public Spaces Protection Order

Councils can also apply for civil injunctions to stop individuals from engaging in anti-social behaviour or seek Criminal Behaviour Orders in collaboration with the police for individuals convicted of a criminal offence linked to anti-social behaviour.

Can I take legal action if anti-social behaviour is discriminatory?

Discriminatory anti-social behaviour involves actions that harass, intimidate, or abuse an individual based on protected characteristics. If you are experiencing discriminatory anti-social behaviour you may be able to apply for an injunction to stop it and claim compensation for any harm suffered as a result of the discriminatory behaviour, such as emotional distress.

At Lawhive, our experienced solicitors can guide you through the process and provide the support you need to address discriminatory anti-social behaviour effectively.

Contact us today for expert assistance.

What is the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014?

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is is a key piece of legislation designed to address anti-social behaviour, crime, and disorder in the UK.

It introduces streamlined and flexible tools to help authorities effectively manage and prevent these issues, including:

• Civil Injunctions

• Criminal Behaviour Orders

• Community Protection Notices

• Public Spaces Protection Orders

• Closure Powers

• Dispersal Powers.

Fast, affordable legal advice on anti-social behaviour

Dealing with anti-social behaviour can be stressful, overwhelming, and disruptive to your daily life. Whether it’s persistent noise, vandalism, harassment, or any other form of anti-social conduct, finding an effective solution is crucial to restoring your peace of mind and ensuring your safety.

At Lawhive, we understand the challenges you face and are here to provide the expert legal support you need.

Our network of experienced neighbour dispute solicitors specialises in handling anti-social behaviour cases from initial consultation to representing you in court.

Contact us today to speak with one of our Legal Assessment Specialists and get a fixed-fee quote for expert legal support relating to anti-social behaviour that's accessible, affordable, and always on your side.