Anti-social behaviour can have a
devastating effect on people’s lives. Incidents of
anti-social behaviour can range from something that is a mild
annoyance to something that causes fear and insecurity. It could be
a one-off event or something that happens over and over again.
Across most areas of Hertfordshire
the actual number of anti-social behaviour incidents is low but we
recognise that where it is happening, it can severely affect
people’s daily lives.
What is anti-social
We define anti-social behaviour as “any conduct or activity that
causes harm to an individual, to a community or to their
environment”. This could be an action by someone else that leaves
you feeling alarmed, harassed or distressed. It can include noisy
or abusive neighbours, littering or graffiti.
The police, local authorities and
other community safety partner agencies, such as Fire & Rescue
and social housing landlords, all have a responsibility to deal
with anti-social behaviour and to help people who are suffering
Together we are working to deal
with anti-social behaviour - taking action to reduce it and stop it
happening, especially when the victim is vulnerable or has suffered
repeated anti-social behaviour.
Examples of anti-social behaviour
- abandoned vehicles; begging; hoax
calls to emergency services;
- inappropriate use, sale or
possession of fireworks; littering; graffiti
- malicious communications (for
example letters or emails);
- noise complaints;
prostitution-related activity; nuisance neighbours;
- rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour;
- trespass; vehicle nuisance
You do not have to put up with anti-social behaviour. If you
cannot deal with it yourself and you need to report it, you can
contact police or your local council. If you live in social
housing, you can report it to your landlord.
If you are suffering
disproportionately because you are vulnerable, or because there is
repeated anti-social behaviour occurring, we will treat you as a
priority. Please tell us about your circumstances when you
call. Your report will be assessed and, wherever appropriate,
we will send an officer to investigate.
We recognise that some issues cause
greater harm to victims or communities and may need more intensive
or long-term action. In these circumstances a local Neighbourhood
Officer may be assigned to manage your case. They may be
supported by other police officers and staff, including anti-social
behaviour investigators from our Community Safety Units, detectives
and patrol officers.
To help you properly and put a stop
to the problem, police may need to involve partners agencies, such
as councils and Registered Social Landlords, so we may seek
to share information about your case with them (see 'recipients of personal data'
document). You may decide that you don’t want the
information made available to any other agency but this may
restrict our ability to effectively resolve your problem. Your
information will be treated confidentially and in line with the
Data Protection Act.
If you need the police to attend as
quickly as possible, phone 999 and say that you want the
police. Use 999 if:
• A crime or serious anti-social behavour is happening
• People are injured
• People are being threatened or are in danger
• The offender is still there or is nearby
If the anti-social behaviour is not an
emergency situation you can contact your local Safer Neighbourhood
phone 101 to make non-emergency
calls to Hertfordshire Constabulary. Calls to 101 cost 15 pence.
Alternatively, you can call
01707 354000 for
Alternatively, you could get in
touch with your local council. Please click a coucil for more
including Hoddesdon, Cheshunt and
including Hemel Hempstead,
Berkhamsted, Kings Langley and Tring.
including Bishop's Stortford,
Sawbridgeworth, Hertford, Ware, Buntingford and surrounding
including Borehamwood, Bushey, Potters
Bar, Radlett, Elstree and Shenley
including Baldock, Hitchin,
Letchworth, Royston and surrounding villages
including Harpenden, London Colney,
Redbourn and Wheathampstead
including Abbots Langley, Chorleywood,
Rickmansowrth, South Oxhey and surrounding villages
including Hatfield, Welwyn, Welwyn
Garden City, University of Hertfordshire and surrounding
Perceptions of young people
Groups of young people are
sometimes unfairly branded as ‘anti-social’ when they are simply
spending time with their friends. We hope to challenge negative
views. Click here for more.
For more about what you can do
about anti-social behaviour please visit the Home Office webpage: