Understanding antisocial behaviour

What happens when you report ASB?

• Our Contact Centre staff make a note of your complaint and pass it to the relevant team
• Your Community Housing Officer investigates, gathering evidence, and consulting relevant agencies
• We speak with other agencies, and an action plan is agreed

Our approach to ASB cases

We support complainants, victims, and witnesses reasonably and fairly. ASB is not tolerated, and residents are expected to behave appropriately. We don’t take sides but try to resolve things.

Dealing with noise nuisance

Noise nuisance can strain relationships between different households, with excessive noise causing stress. If affected, talk to your neighbour first. If the issue persists, contact us. In order for us to act, you’ll need evidence. You can do this using the Noise App on your mobile phone, or just keep a diary.

Download the Noise App
https://www.thenoiseapp.com

Dog barking and ASB

Dog barking isn’t ASB, but if it causes problems, talk to your neighbour first. If a dog is barking at unsociable hours or at night, you can use the Noise app to record this on your phone.

We can offer support and advice. For dangerous dogs or welfare concerns, contact South Wales Police or the RSPCA.

Victim support and mental health

Being a victim of ASB can be very stressful. Talk to you Community Housing Officer for support and advice. If it is having an impact on your mental health, visit our page on [mental health support] for information and signposting to services.

South Wales Victim Focus

For ASB victims, South Wales Victim Focus provides help.
Visit their website https://www.southwalesvictimfocus.org.uk/

Neighbour disputes and mediation

Try to discuss problems with your neighbour before making a formal complaint. You could do this on your own, but it may be safer to use a mediation service. Mediation means talking to your neighbour with a trained professional there. Alternatively, you don’t have to see your neighbour and the mediator can go between you. Doing this is free and can help solve disagreements and maintain good relationships.

Alleged perpetrators

Life challenges like health issues, bereavement, or job changes can strain relationships at home and with neighbours. Some people accused of antisocial behaviour can be vulnerable and we want to support them, to help them understand the consequences of their actions, stop behaving in this way and keep their home. Working with support services, we look at underlying causes of ASB. Enforcement is a last resort after making many resolution attempts.

ASB case review

If you’re unhappy with the response to your ASB complaint, and the ASB is continuing without a resolution, you can seek an independent review of your case.

The review will bring different agencies together to look at what’s been done so far, share information and to try to find a solution to stop the ASB.

ASB Working Group

We have an ASB Working Group involving tenants, residents, and Neighbourhood teams. The group works together to improve the way ASB is managed in communities, by making changes to the process and procedures that are in place.