Anti-Social Behaviour
Anti-social behaviour is any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages or destroys another person's quality of life. In other words, behaviour that undermines any person's right to enjoy their home, their neighbourhood and their daily life in peace and safety. This can include persistent noise, verbal abuse or threats, threatening and intimidating behaviour or graffiti and damage to property. It reduces feelings of safety and will not be tolerated
The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) which is made up of police, local authority, fire, probation and health work together to identify this kind of behaviour and stop it.
For more information, please visit the Respect website.
What are we doing to help?
Anti-social behaviour is taken very seriously and Cheshire East works closely with the police to tackle such disturbances. This issue is a priority and we are committed to reducing the level of anti-social behaviour and improving the quality of life across the area for all residents and businesses.
A co-ordinated response is provided to tackle the bad behaviour of individuals, which includes educating offenders and making sure that they know what anti-social behaviour is and how it affects other people.
Young Person Notification forms are used to steer young people away from disorder and crime. A 'Yellow Card' is completed by wardens and officers when they seize alcohol from groups of under age drinkers or disperse young people who are causing a nuisance. Cheshire East Anti-Social Behaviour Unit then sends a “We think you ought to know” letter to parents. If the same name comes up on a second occasion the parents are sent a 'Final' letter. After that, a Police Officer will visit the family or the case will go to a multi-agency panel to decide on a plan of action.
However, if this fails, enforcement action is taken which may include Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) and more seriously Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).
ABCs
are voluntary written agreements between a person who has been involved with anti-social behaviour and one or more of the enforcement agencies whose role it is to prevent such behaviour. ABCs are most commonly used for young people but may also be used for adults. They offer support to individuals and give them the opportunity to change their behaviour.
ASBO's
were introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. They are community based orders that involve local people in the collection of evidence and the enforcement of breaches. The orders place serious restrictions on the lives and individuals for a minimum of two years. Breaching an ASBO is a criminal offence and carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Who do I tell?
Always dial 999 in an emergency
You can report instances of anti-social behaviour such as excess noise and grafitti to the Council.
- In Congleton area call 01270 529599
- In Crewe area call 01270 537813
To report other incidents of anti-social behaviour including youth disorder, intimidation, harassment and neighbour nuisance, contact your local Community Action Team:
- Knutsford - 0845 458 6380
- Nantwich - 0845 458 6378
- Crewe - 0845 458 6370
- Macclesfield - 0845 458 6371
- Wilmslow - 0845 458 6374
- Congleton - 0845 4586382
- Cheshire Police on 0845 4580000