Anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour is behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harm or disturbance to others. This page explains what it is, what it can include, and where to report issues.

What anti-social behaviour is

Anti-social behaviour is conduct that has caused or is likely to cause:

• harassment, alarm or distress to any person
• nuisance or annoyance related to someone living in a home
• housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person

Examples of anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour can cover a range of issues, including:

• misuse of public spaces, for example street drinking, drug misuse or dealing, and car repairs on the street
• behaviour that affects community or personal wellbeing, for example nuisance from neighbours or businesses, shouting and swearing, and drunken behaviour
• behaviour directed at individuals, for example harassment, intimidation, verbal abuse or discrimination
• environmental damage, for example graffiti, litter or fly-tipping

What happens when you report anti-social behaviour

We review each report individually and may need to gather more evidence.

We work with partner organisations to tackle anti-social behaviour, change behaviour, and help keep communities safe.

What is not anti-social behaviour

Some issues are not classed as anti-social behaviour. These include:

• children playing in public or private spaces
• people meeting socially
• not being able to park outside your home
• DIY or car repairs, unless they happen late at night or repeatedly
• civil disputes between neighbours, for example shared driveways
• one-off noise complaints, for example parties or fireworks
• non-aggressive begging

Report related problems

Some problems are handled by other council services.

If you need to report issues such as abandoned vehicles, fly-tipping or graffiti, visit the report environmental problems page.

You can report other local issues using the report a problem page.