Safer Pembrokeshire

Anti Social Behaviour

Anti-social behaviour(ASB) is currently a high profile issue.  The majority of incidents reported in Pembrokeshire are rowdy and nuisance behaviour, often from neighbours. This behaviour can have a significant impact on the quality of life and cohesiveness of our communities.  We work hard to tackle ASB on a multi agency basis, providing an effective and coordinated response based on prevention and early intervention. The general perception of young people in particular can be very negative. Education and prevention work helps to address these perceptions.

Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed Powys Police are leading organisations in Safer Pembrokeshire.  The Partnership is made up of varying organisations to bring together expertise to help not only those affected by anti-social behaviour, but often those causing the problem as well.

Through taking a joint approach across the County we are able to share information across agencies under Section 115 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Data Protection Act 1998 which allows us to record, detect and prevent incidents of anti-social behaviour. 

What is Anti-Social Behaviour?

Anti-Social Behaviour is any behaviour that causes any person harassment, alarm or distress.  It is not easily possible to create a list of those things that could be termed ASB, however a rough guide would be to consider if the behaviour causing the harassment, alarm or distress is normal.

What should you do if you feel that you are suffering from the effects of anti-social behaviour?

Always remember you do not have to put up with it.

• You can talk to the person or people responsible.  This may solve the problem, but only do this if you feel it is safe to do so.   
• You can get outside help, depending on what the problem is, you can call the Council the Police or both.
• Keep a log of all acts of anti-social behaviour.  This will help build up a detailed picture of the problem you are experiencing. 

Who to contact if you are a victim of or witness to anti-social behaviour

Police

If you are experiencing anti-social behaviour which involves someone being violent, threatening you with violence, damaging or threatening to damageyour property, or being racially abusive, always contact the police on 101. 

In an emergency always dial 999 

County Council

For noise nuisance, abandoned vehicles, dangerous dogs, dog fouling and fly/illegal tipping, please contact 01437 764551.

Responding to Anti-Social Behaviour  

Depending on the kind of anti-social behaviour being reported, and to who, the matter may be quickly resolved or it may need further investigation to effectively address the situation. The case may be referred to the Dyfed Powys Anti-Social Behaviour Service (provided by Gwalia) who will work with partner agencies on a joint response to the problem. 

There are many ways to address anti-social behaviour. Often people who are causing it need to be informed that they are being anti-social: this can happen by written warnings or meeting with them. If the problem continues they may be asked to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) or a Parenting Contract and in extreme cases application may be made for more formal orders. Other cases may lead to an eviction from their house or an arrest for harassment.

For further information on local authority housing issues please see Noise and Neighbour Nuisance

For further information regarding control of dogs please see Dog Control Service

ASB Case Review ('Community Trigger')

The case review empowers repeat victims of antisocial behaviour (ASB) to ask for a review of the actions partner agencies have taken to resolve their concerns. To be eligible, you need to have experienced and reported:

• three incidents of ASB in the last six months to the council, police or landlord where no effective action has been taken

• one hate crime or incident where no effective action has been taken

• A person of appropriate seniority within a responsible authority reviews the evidence presented from all parties and believes there is sufficient evidence to initiate a case review regardless of the role of the applicant of the ASB Case Review

Each of the incidents need to have been reported within one month of them taking place, by the same person and you must apply for case review within six months of the latest incident. The victim can be a business, individual or a community group.

How can I use the ASB Case Review?

Across the Dyfed-Powys region, Dyfed-Powys Police are the single point of contact for the ASB Case Review. An application can be made online, over email, by calling 101 or by requesting an application form in writing – For further details, visit the Dyfed Powys Police website . It is not only the victim themselves who can use the ASB Case Review, although their consent must be sought by the person using the ASB Case Review on their behalf prior to application. Once consent has been obtained the ASB Case Review can be used by any person, such as a family member, friend, carer, councillor, Welsh Assembly Member, Member of Parliament or any other professional person on behalf a victim. The ASB Case Review can be used by a person of any age.

What happens next?

Once a request to use the ASB Case Review process has been received, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement letter within 5 working days. Agencies will consider the application and get back in touch with the victim within 15 workings days to inform them if they have met the threshold. If the threshold is met, there will be a multi-agency case review which involves various agencies (e.g. Police, Local Authority, Housing Association, Hywel Dda University Health Board).  During this process, information relating to the case including any previous action taken will be considered, and a decision made as to whether additional actions are possible.  Consideration must also be given for you, the victim, to attend the first part of the hearing to explain the harm that the ASB is causing to you and/or your family and to express your wishes as to what you would like to happen as a result of the hearing.  You can also provide a written statement or an advocate can attend on your behalf should you not wish to attend.  The applicant will be notified of the outcome of the panel review. An appeal can be made to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) where one of the following measures is satisfied;

• The decision provided outlining why the case did not meet the threshold for an ASB Case Review has failed to provide sufficient detail to understand why a review did not take place.

• The ASB Case Review has failed to consider a relevant process, policy or protocol;

• The ASB Case Review has failed to consider relevant factual information.

Appeals must be made to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) within 28 days. The 28 days will start from the date of either;

• the letter informing the applicant their application has not met the threshold for a case review;

• the letter informing them of the outcome of a case review.