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Anti-social behaviour

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Anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour can affect anyone at any time and can range from annoying other people to serious violence and criminal activities. Here are some examples:

  • Vehicle crime, joy riding.
  • Substance misuse, drunkeness.
  • Vandalism, graffiti.
  • Assault, threatening behaviour,
  • Harassment of residents or passers-by.
  • Intimidating groups of young people in public places.
  • Racial abuse.
  • Verbal abuse.
  • Criminal damage.
  • Prostitution, kerb-crawling.

Reporting anti-social behaviour

You should dial 999 when life is threatened or people are injured or there is a crime in progress and an immediate Police response is necessary.

Call 01473 613500 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team if the offence has happened and the offender is no longer present.

Information about people who commit crime or anti-social behaviour can be reported to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 (you do not have to give your name and address if you do not want to and calls are free).

You can also help by reporting incidents and sharing information with us so that the most appropriate action can be taken at an early stage. Follow the links below to report an incident online or to print off an anti-social behaviour reporting form:

Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF files.

Printed forms are also available from every police station in the district and most public buildings and some local shops have them.

How do I get help if I'm the victim of anti-social behaviour?

If you are a victim of anti-social behaviour you can contact Suffolk Coastal's Community Safety Team on 01394 444763 or email community.safety@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk for help and advice.

What powers does the Council have to tackle anti-social behaviour?

Suffolk Coastal has the power to issue Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts are used to deal with the type of behaviour listed above. An ABC is a written agreement between a person who has been involved in anti-social behaviour and one or more local agencies whose role it is to prevent such behaviour. The contract specifies a list of anti-social acts in which the person has been involved and which they agree not to continue. Any breach of an ABC may be cited in court for any further action e.g. criminal matters, possession orders or an anti-social behaviour order.

If it is appropriate we can go to court and obtain an Anti-Social Behaviour Order. ASBOs are civil orders that exist to protect the public from anti-social behaviour. An order contains conditions prohibiting the offender from specific anti-social acts or entering defined areas and is effective for a minimum of two years but can be in place indefinitely.

A breach of an order is a criminal offence; criminal procedures and penalties apply. The maximum penalty for a breach of an order is five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

The standard of service you can expect from your Community Safety Partnership

Suffolk Police, local councils and partners from Community Safety Partnerships, have published minimum standards of service that the public can expect should they be victims or witnesses of anti-social behaviour.

The standards, devised and agreed by all partners in the Community Safety Partnerships, form a promise to the public to help keep Suffolk a safe county in which to live, work and visit. You can view the standards by following the link below:

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