Anti-social behaviour
Understand what anti social behaviour is, how to report it, who deals with it and what you can do if you are experiencing Anti Social Behaviour.
What is anti-social behaviour?
The phrase anti-social behaviour (ASB) takes in a range of nuisances, disorder and crimes which affects people's lives on a daily basis. It looks different and feels different in every area and to every victim. What is considered anti social by one person can be acceptable to another. The Home Office describes ASB as, 'any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages or destroys another person's quality of life'.
ASB covers a wide range of incidents and is dealt with by a number of different agencies. If ASB is not dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner it can have a devastating impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities. It is widely recognised that single agencies cannot tackle ASB alone and must work in partnership to address the issues. Issues that can be considered as ASB include:
- Anti-social driving/speeding
- Alcohol related nuisance
- Neighbour disputes or nuisance
- Noise nuisance
- Nuisance behaviour motivated by hate (race, faith, sexuality, disability, transgender)
- Nuisance motorcycles, quad bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters
- People using or dealing drugs
- Groups of people hanging around (threatening, drunken or intimidating behaviour)
- Dog fouling/inconsiderate dog ownership
- Graffiti
- Littering
- Vandalism/damage
- Fly-tipping
- Inconsiderate bonfires/illegal burning
- Anti-social car meetings
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, other behaviour may be considered anti-social dependent how persistent it is and the detrimental impact that it may be having on an individual or community.
Find out who deals with Anti-Social Behaviour and how to report it
What is not Anti-Social Behaviour?
ASB can be difficult to define, and although annoying, there are some types of behaviour that are not classed as anti-social unless it is targeted and/or of a persistent nature:
- Children playing in the street or communal areas - unless they are being threatening or intimidating or causing damage to property
- People gathering socially - unless they are rowdy, inconsiderate and being intimidating to individuals
- Being unable to park outside your own home on the public highway
- DIY or off road car repairs - unless these are taking place late at night or early in the morning
- Lifestyles differences i.e. cultural differences, food smells, work shift patterns
- Occasional or one off events i.e. birthday parties, barbeques, other celebrations
- Noise caused by everyday living i.e. walking around, loud conversations, doors opening and closing, lawn mower
- Fireworks when used lawfully, to find out more please read the Government guidance Fireworks: The Law
- Property boundary disputes
In this section
Related articles
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Resolving neighbour disputes
Advice on what you can do to resolve a dispute with your neighbour. Always talk to your neighbour first if possible and try to resolve the issue peacefully. -
Request a review of your ASB case
The anti-social behaviour case review gives victims the right to request a review of their complaints and brings agencies together to find a solution. -
For Professionals - Anti-social behaviour
Guidance and advice for tackling anti-social behaviour for Surrey professionals including Surrey frameworks and the anti-social behaviour case review process.