Community Relations FAQs
What is antisocial behaviour?
- A course of conduct that causes alarm or distress to someone of a different household
- For example regular very loud music, regular noisy parties, threats and harassment, vandalism
- What is unlikely to be covered as ASB include noise from children playing, walking on laminate floors, parking and boundary disputes
- Matters where formal action is not likely can be dealt with by Mediation
What will the Community Relations Unit Do?
- Speak to you and listen to your problem
- Assess the nature of the complaint
- Investigate further e.g. speak to witnesses, get reports from Police, possibly even use surveillance
- Recommend possible solutions where appropriate e.g. mediation
- Work in partnership with other agencies for support needs etc
- Where appropriate issue warnings up to and ultimately including going to court for an ASBO
- If we can progress your complaint using the ASB legislation you will have to
- Keep a diary of incidents
- Keep the investigating officer up to date with what's happening
- Be prepared to go to court if the matter is not resolved through warnings and support measures
- To go to court investigators need supporting evidence (corroboration) of the incidents e.g. from other people, ASB Noise Service or Police witnesses
How long will the investigation take?
- Investigations can range from weeks to a year dependant on the complexity of the issue
What is an ASBO
- An ASBO is a court order to stop someone doing something that a court determines as causing alarm or distress
- If breached it is a criminal offence where the person can be arrested carrying penalties of up to £5,000 and/or 6 months in prison on summary conviction
- It can also affect the tenancy of those in rented property
Do ASBOs Work?
- Yes!
- The advice, warnings and support offered most often resolve the complaint prior to court action
- If an ASBO is required then either the behaviour stops or the person will face strong action from the Police. Recent strong sentencing from Glasgow Sherriff court includes 6 and 4 month prison sentences, bail conditions for an offender not to return to their own home, in cases involving rented property breaching an ASBO mostly results in an eviction.
How do I report antisocial behaviour?
- You can report antisocial behaviour using our online form
- For an ongoing noise incident call our ASB Noise Service on 0141 287 6688
- If its an ongoing incident of a criminal nature call Police Scotland on 101
- If you are a housing association tenant call your housing officer in the first instance
- For all other calls phone the 24hr ASB helpline on 0800 027 3901