What Is Anti Social Behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour is virtually any intimidating, nuisance, inconsiderate or threatening activity that affects your quality of life.

Examples include:

  • Rowdy, nuisance, drunken or inconsiderate behaviour
  • Noise
  • Vandalism
  • Graffiti
  • Fly-posting
  • Dog fouling
  • Litter and fly-tipping rubbish
  • Setting off fireworks late at night
  • Abandoned vehicles

Anti-social behaviour doesn't just make life unpleasant but it has a negative effect on many people’s lives. Together with our many partner agencies such as the Police, Probation Service, Devon Youth Service etc, all of whom are members of the East and Mid Devon Community Safety Partnership, we are committed to tackling such behaviour in order that East Devon continues to remain a very safe place to live, work and visit.

What we are doing about it?

Gerry Moore is our Community Safety and Anti Social Behaviour Coordinator and is contactable on 01395 273802 or gmoore@eastdevon.gov.uk

A former Police Officer with over 30 years service with the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Gerry has been with East Devon District Council since April 2004. He is available for advice and support about all types of anti social behaviour.

How Anti Social Behaviour is Tackled

Anti social behaviour across Devon and Cornwall is now tackled in a structured manner whereby when individuals come to the attention of different agencies such as the police, district councils or housing associations, due to their anti social behaviour, they are given a letter warning them that if their behaviour does not improve the matter will be taken further.

If the behaviour does not get any better the local Anti Social Behaviour Coordinator becomes involved, At this stage either another warning letter can be served by the coordinator on behalf of the Community Safety Partnership or a case conference, involving all interested agencies, can be arranged. The intention of this meeting is to discuss the best way forward with that individual. The latter is generally the preferred option, rather than another letter.

At such conferences it is often agreed to make the offender the subject of an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (A.B.C). This contract sets out simple conditions which the person is not expected to do, such as shout, swear, be abusive or drink alcohol in a street or public place. It is also discussed what each agency can do in order to assist that person to address their behaviour and if such interventions can be made they will be. Therefore the structure is not only about assisting the victims but also trying to help the people who are causing the problems in the hope that it will reduce or even eliminate their anti social behaviour.

If the behaviour is particularly bad, consideration is given at the case conferences to making an application to the Courts for an Anti Social Behaviour Order (A.S.B.O.), but this is very much a last resort.

Other useful links re Anti Social Behaviour

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary Neighbourhood Policing

Home Office Anti Social Behaviour Action Line

Page last updated on 22 June 2010