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