Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

A member of our dedicated ASB team will contact you to agree an action plan. We may ask you to complete diary sheets or consider entering into mediation with the person responsible.

Some reports can be resolved at an early stage, whilst other cases may require collating evidence. It is important, where there is persistent ASB, we can provide evidence of the dates, times and details of the incidents and how that this has impacted upon you and/or the local community.

If we are required to go to court we will ask you to provide a witness statement and to attend court to give evidence.

Criminal Activity can include:

• drug dealing
• illicit drug use
• violent or threatening behaviour
• assault
• hate crime
• criminal damage
• sexual assault
• theft
• cuckooing.

If you are in immediate need of assistance, or if a crime is in progress, then phone 999. To report to the police please phone 101 (non-emergency number) or report online at www.gloucestershire.police.uk/contact-us/report-a-crime-or-incident. If you wish to report crime anonymously then you can report through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or report online at crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information

If you do make a report to the Police, please let GCH know that this has happened along with any incident/crime numbers.

We take criminal behaviour in our properties and on our estates very seriously. If you are a tenant and you, a member of your household, or a visitor to your address are responsible for criminal behaviour you will be putting your tenancy in jeopardy.

We will assist the police with any investigations into criminal activity at any of our properties. If a person you are responsible for is convicted we may seek legal action to end your tenancy.

No, Cannabis is a controlled substance and is classified as a Class B drug. It is illegal to use for recreational purposes. You can be arrested for being in possession of it.

Your tenancy agreement states that you must not use your property for any illegal or immoral purposes. You are breaching your tenancy if Cannabis is smoked in your property.

Where we receive complaints of Cannabis use we will work alongside partner agencies such as the Police (for enforcement) and Change Grow Live (for support). If you are impacted upon by cannabis being smoked in a neighbouring property then please report to the police as well as GCH.

Noise nuisance is a common complaint. However it can be difficult to manage due to varying tolerance levels and difficulty in evidencing noise.

 If your neighbour is playing loud music, we would encourage that you approach them in the first instance (providing that you feel safe to do so) and ask them to turn the volume down as it is disturbing you in your own home. If the noise continues we will ask that you complete diary sheets to assist us in building a case.

The Council have a duty to investigate if a statutory nuisance exists. If your neighbour is persistently playing music at an excessive level (regardless of the time) then please report this to Gloucester City Council on 01452 396396 or make an online report on the Gloucester City Council website www.gloucester.gov.uk/environment-waste-recycling/nuisance/noise

We expect there be some tolerance to noise levels between neighbours, particularly for those living in flats. Noise such as:

• babies crying
• toilets flushing
• washing machines/tumble dryers
• vacuuming
• dog barking
• children playing
• snoring
• walking on floorboards

are unlikely to be a breach of tenancy (except in exceptional circumstances).

There are no set times for when music can be played at any particular volume. Noise is measured against reasonableness and the nuisance it causes to others. This can occur at any time of day or night.

ASB Case Review (also known as the Community Trigger)

Under the ASB Crime & Policing Act 2014 a process was introduced where victims and communities have the right to request a review of their case if a criteria is met. When an ASB Case Review is activated the case is independently reviewed to look at what action has previously been taken and decide whether additional actions are possible.

In Gloucestershire, the ASB Case review is run by Restorative Gloucestershire and the criteria to meet is:

• Three reports by the same person within six months
• Five reports involving the same location, culprit or problem from more than one individual or group within six months
• The application is made in reasonable time – allowing time for action to have been taken.

For further information and/or to request an ASB Case review please visit www.restorativegloucestershire.co.uk/anti-social-behaviour-case-review or phone 01452 754555