Antisocial Behaviour and Hate Policy

Dealing with antisocial behaviour (ASB), hate crime and hate incidents effectively is a key priority for our tenants and residents living within the whole borough of Gateshead. This policy has been developed with input from residents, employees, partners and using guidance from the Regulator of Social Housing and the Housing Ombudsman.

Gateshead Council understands the negative impact crime and antisocial behaviour has on our neighbourhoods and communities and takes a proactive and preventative approach in dealing with this.

We want to make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives. Our Corporate Plan 2025-30 outlines the priority areas for the council. The plan will guide the work of Gateshead Council and set out our response to what we believe will deliver good outcomes for the people of Gateshead.

Where we need to, we will also work with partners to ensure a single, consistent approach is delivered to protect local communities. Gateshead Council is a statutory partner within Gateshead Community Safety Partnership. The Safer Gateshead Partnership Plan Sept 2024 (PDF, 813 KB) sets out the priorities for the next 2 years and the intended action to help us to achieve our vision of ensuring Gateshead is a safe place for everyone. Reducing ASB is one of the 5 priorities identified in the Community Safety Partnership Plan.

We will ensure that any incident or crime perpetrated due to prejudice will be captured, recorded and dealt with as a hate crime. The Hate Crime Strategy 2024-26 (PDF, 558 KB) outlines Gateshead Council's plan to proactively reduce the harm caused by hate to individuals, families and communities.

There is no place for hate crime in Gateshead. We will carefully consider our actions, with a focus so as not to disadvantage those protected by the Equality Act 2010. An Equality Impact Assessment has been undertaken to help inform the development of this policy.