Anti Social Behaviour
Anti-social behaviour can cause misery to its victims and can also ruin the future for its perpetrators. Criminal damage, graffiti, drunkenness, public order, assaults, thefts, arsons etc are all offences that local youths have been arrested for recently.
The majority of them are committed by members of large groups who begin by committing low level anti social behaviour (just having a laugh) that escalates.
If you want to discuss any concerns please contact your local neighbourhood policing team or attend the next PACT (Police and communities together) meeting in your area. Details can be found on Durham Constabulary’s website or telephone 0345 6060365
Report it
If you are harassed or victimised, if anti-social behaviour is affecting your quality of life, or making you fear for your safety or the safety of others, contact your local anti-social behaviour team, neighbourhood policing team or local police station directly and file a complaint. If it's an emergency, or you witness a serious crime, call 999 immediately.
All complaints are treated as confidential under the Data Protection Act, so you don't have to worry about your identity being revealed.
- find your local neighbourhood police team (new window)
- find your anti-social behaviour team (new window)
Gathering evidence
To make a case against anyone accused of anti-social behaviour you'll need fairly strong evidence.
Your local police coordinator may give you diary sheets so you can record the details of the behaviour as it happens, or the police may get more involved depending on the circumstances and severity of the problem.
If you are a victim or witness of anti-social behaviour and are frightened to give evidence for fear of reprisals, you can give evidence but remain anonymous. This type of evidence is called hearsay.
A police officer or other professional witness, such as a council official, health worker, teacher or doctor can also give evidence in court on behalf of a vulnerable witness.
How the offending behaviour will be challenged
Neighbourhood thugs can be controlled by police using a wide range of methods. Some of the most effective interventions are those that directly engage the individual and lead them to change their own behaviour.
The range of interventions include:
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warning letters and interviews
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acceptable behaviour agreements and parenting contracts
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fixed penalty notices
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parenting orders, individual support orders, noise abatement notices
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injunctions, dispersal powers
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anti-social behaviour orders (commonly called ASBOs)
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premises closure orders
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possession proceedings against a tenant
