Anti social behaviour can be anything from low-level persistent nuisance to serious violence or other criminal behaviour. It has no definition, although residents know it when they see or hear it. It includes all behaviour, which impacts negatively on residents’ quality of life in and around their homes. Anti social behaviour can be caused both by residents and non-residents and can affect both. Examples are noise nuisance, the fouling of public areas, aggressive and threatening language and behaviour, actual violence against people and property and hate behaviour which targets members of identified groups because of their perceived differences.
The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 defines Anti-social behaviour as:
“Behaviour that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as the perpetrator”
The Councils Private Rented Sector Team working in partnership with Northumbria Police, Neighbourhood Wardens and other agencies is dedicated to responding to, investigating and resolving issues of anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector. The team can offer support and assistance in response to complaints about anti social behaviour from private tenants.