Antisocial Behaviour Reports

We recognise the damaging impact that neighbour nuisances and antisocial behaviour can have on both individuals and the community.  Cube is committed to ensuring that our tenants can enjoy their homes quietly and peacefully without being abused, harassed or subjected to noise, nuisance or antisocial behaviour caused by those around them.

The Association has a dedicated team based in the North Office (at Wyndford) who are committed to tackling antisocial behaviour through a multi-agency approach. The team works closely with Strathclyde Police, council departments, other landlords, and voluntary agencies.

What is Antisocial Behaviour?

Everyone has a different idea about what antisocial behaviour is.  This can range from playing loud music, to racial or other forms of harassment, threatening behaviour, and acts of violence.  The Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 defines antisocial behaviour as follows:

" A person engages in antisocial behaviour if he/she
a) acts in a manner that causes or is likely to cause alarm or distress
: OR
b) pursues a course of conduct that causes or is likely to cause alarm or distress, to at least one person who is not of the same household.'Conduct' includes speech and must involve conduct on at least two occasions."

What we can do?

The fundamental aim of dealing with reports of neighbour nuisance is to resolve the problem.  The Association's staff will treat all complaints with due seriousness and will seek to identify the most appropriate method to resolve issues.  Investigations will be carried out in a fair, impartial and understanding manner.  Client confidentiality will be respected and treated sensitively at all times.

The Association will use all the powers available to deal with serious antisocial behaviour sensitively and effectively.

This includes:

• Providing confidential advice and assistance.
• Encouraging and setting up mediation.
• Multi-agency working.
• Working with the Police to support victims.
• Issuing warnings to Cube residents.
• Issuing Acceptable Behaviour Contracts / Unacceptable Behaviour Notices (see Cube's ABC / UBN leaflet) .
• Applying for Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBO)
  (see Cube's Legal action leaflet)
• Taking court action to repossess tenancies i.e. eviction.

What happens when a complaint is made?

Once a complaint has been received it is categorised into one of the three categories below:

Category A - Very Serious Complaints

Complaints which concern allegations of drug dealing, criminal behaviour involving violence or threats of violence towards any member of the public, including members of staff, housebreaking, assault, criminal threats, serious harassment, racial harassment and serious damage to property, including fire raising.

Category B - Serious Complaints

Complaints which concern allegations of aggressive or abusive behaviour, frequent disturbances, vandalism, drug/solvent/alcohol abuse, verbal or written harassment and frequent and persistent noise.  The Association strongly suggests that you contact the Police if you witness or are victim to a Category A or B complaint.  Please ensure you take a note of the date and time, as well as the Police crime reference number.

Category C - Nuisance Complaints

Complaints which concern allegations that involve simple breaches of tenancy conditions.  Your case will then be allocated to a staff member who will deal with your complaint as follows:

Depending on the nature of the complaint, the Association will encourage you to approach your neighbour to try and resolve the situation first.  If this action is not appropriate, please put your complaint in writing, including as much information as possible, such as; details of the incident, dates, times, any witnesses present. 

A member of the Tenancy Management Team will be happy to assist you with this when you contact the office.  Investigations will commence into the complaint which will include an interview to obtain all the facts from both the person making the complaint, and about whom the complaint has been made.  At this interview we will discuss in detail what happens next and agree updates with you on the frequency and method of communication.

What if legal action is necessary?

If, after the Association has issued three written warnings, the problem cannot be resolved, only as a last resort would the Association proceed with court action.  There are different types of legal action to deal with different problems e.g.

Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO)

A legal order banning someone from doing something which distresses other people.  If an ASBO is breached, this could lead to an unlimited fine and/or a term of imprisonment.

Eviction

To repossess a tenancy and remove a household from their home.  For more information please see Cube Housing Association's Eviction Leaflet. 
In law, for the Association to build up a case to take legal action, every complaint or incident reported must be confirmed by another individual.

What can you do to help?

We need YOU to help US to tackle those who cause distress to their neighbours in OUR Communities.

It will help if you have the facts - i.e. dates, times and details of any incidents.  The Association can provide diary sheets to help you with this.

The Police - it is very important that you and other residents report incidents of anti-social behaviour to the Police as well as the Association to build up evidence in the event that legal action is required.

Be patient - solving serious anti-social behaviour takes time and effort from both you and us.  Please remember this when a complaint is being investigated.