Anti-social behaviour

We’re here to help make sure everyone in Dacorum can live peacefully, free from harassment and aggravation. We will deal quickly and efficiently with those causing trouble. If you're in immediate danger, always call 999.

What is anti-social behaviour

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 defines anti-social behaviour as:

Conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person,
Conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person’s occupation of residential premises, or;
Conduct capable of causing (housing-related) nuisance or annoyance to any person.

For examples of ASB, please see out anti-social behaviour policy, below.

Before you report anti-social behaviour

Before you report an incident of anti-social behaviour to us, consider these things:

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Approaching the person causing the problem
Before you contact us, think about whether the issue can be resolved in another way. Ask yourself:
- Does your neighbour realise what they are doing or know how their behaviour is affecting you?
- Have you talked to them about it?
- Are they definitely at fault?
Tips for dealing with the problem yourself
- Think about what you want to say. Be clear about the issue and how it affects you
- Try to choose a good time to speak to your neighbour
- Stay calm and friendly. Don’t shout or be rude - this can make things worse
- Listen to their side of the story and think about what they are saying
- Remember, what upsets you may not upset others. They might not realise their behaviour is upsetting you
- If they react badly, calmly end the conversation.
If you're not comfortable speaking in person, you can write a polite note explaining the issue and put it through their door.
We understand that it’s not always possible or safe to speak to the person causing the problem. If you’ve tried but can’t resolve it, please go ahead and report it to us.
Mediation

If you’re having a disagreement with your neighbours and both of you believe you're right, mediation can help. A mediator is an independent person who listens to both sides and helps you reach an agreement or compromise.
You don’t have to meet face to face. The mediator can speak to each of you separately - this is called shuttle mediation.
Mediation is a way to solve disputes without going to court.
We work with Mediation Hertfordshire and may be able to refer you to their service.
Avoiding anti-social behaviour
Be a considerate neighbour and try to avoid doing things that might disturb others. For example:
- Avoid doing noisy work (such as repairs) at night, especially if your neighbours have young children
- Keep the volume down on your TV or radio - especially at night. Use headphones if possible
- If you're planning a bonfire, choose a suitable time and, if you can, let your neighbours know in advance
- If you're having a party, talk to your neighbours beforehand. If you'd rather not speak to them directly, you can put a polite note through their door.

Reporting criminal behaviour

Sometimes anti-social behaviour is also a crime. You should contact the police if it involves things like:

Vandalism
Graffiti
Harassment
Threats or violence
Drug use or dealing

Call 101 for non-emergencies, or 999 if someone is in danger. You can also report issues anonymously through CrimeStoppers.

If the person causing the problem rents privately or from a housing association, and you know their landlord or letting agent, let them know what’s happening.

What we can do

If you report anti-social behaviour to us, we’ll arrange to talk to you about it. We’ll ask:

What happened
Where and how often it happened
How it has affected you

You can write this down on diary sheets, which we can send by email or post.

All information given to us is confidential. We will work with you to find the best solution.

A housing officer or ASB (anti-social behaviour) officer will look into your complaint. They might also speak to witnesses and the person you’ve reported. If the person is vulnerable (for example, has mental health issues), we may work with other support services.

In most cases, the problems will stop after one intervention. If the behaviour continues or is serious, we can take legal actions such as:

Community protection notices
Injunctions
Closure orders
Applying to take possession of their property (if they are a council tenant)

We work closely with other council departments and the Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team to make our borough a safe place to live. We will take quick action against those who cause misery to others.

Report anti-social behaviour

To report anti-social behaviour, fill out our online form:

Report anti-social behaviour

Reporting anti-social behaviour out of hours

We don't operate an out-of-hours response service for anti-social behaviour.

If it’s an emergency or someone is in danger, call the police on 999.

For all other anti-social behaviour issues, follow the steps on this page to report the problem. We’ll deal with it during our normal working hours.