Anti-social behaviour

What is anti-social behaviour?

The 1998 Crime and Disorder Act defines anti-social behaviour as behaviour which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people who are not in the same household as the perpetrator.

Quantifying anti-social behaviour is more difficult. Among the forms it can take are (not in any order of priority):

• Graffiti – which can on its own make even the tidiest urban spaces look squalid
• Abusive and intimidating language, often directed at minorities
• Fouling the street with litter
• Drunken behaviour in the streets, and the mess it creates
• Dealing drugs, with all the problems to which it gives rise

For measurement and target setting/monitoring purposes most local areas have had to agree a definition. The term anti-social behaviour locally also covers violence, specifically common assaults and wounding.

Who to contact about anti-social behaviour

Robert Munday, Anti-social Behaviour Coordinator
Rooms 23-28 York House
Richmond Road
Twickenham
TW1 3AA

Telephone: 020 8831 6297
Email: community.safety@richmond.gov.uk

Due to the nature of recording allegations of anti-social behviour, it is most helpful when concerns are received by email or by post, instead of by telephone. This helps to keep your information concise and accurate and assists the Anti-social Behaviour Coordinator with a timely response.

You may also wish to contact your local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Concerns about excessive noise should be addressed to the Neighbour Nuisance Officer by telephone on 020 8891 7737 between 9am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm, Friday.

Remember, in an emergency always dial 999.

Reports on anti-social behaviour

The Council's Strategy and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee has recently produced a report on anti-social behaviour in the borough.

You can download the Anti-Social Behaviour Scrutiny Review Final Report here(pdf, 530KB).