Current Community Safety Initiatives

Offensive Incidents

An offensive incident is one that is generated out of predjudice stemming from the victim's gender, sexuality, ethnicity or disability. People can report incidents on the Council's Offensive Incident form that is available from reception points. This is in addition to reporting to the Police, the ASB Team or a landlord. This form can be used if people simply want to tell us what happened without taking the issue further. The ASB team will log all incidents that are reported in this way and will take any further action required.

For copies of the form contact the Council's Diversity Team on 01642 528830

All incidents that stem from prejudice or discrimination are dealt with as a priority and are responded to within one working day by the ASB Team and THL.

Gathering Evidence

The ASB Team will lead in negotiating all ABC's and applying to the Court for ASBOs and CRASBOs (A CRASBO is used following criminal conviction).

The Council's Neighbourhood Enforcement Servce (NES) and Neighbourhood Police officers are our eyes and ears on the street and provide visible patrols that supply valuable information that helps to direct our resources to where they are most needed. We will run joint operations over weekends attended by ASB Officers, NES and the Police in areas that have been identified as hot spots or flash points.

All uniformed officers will issue AS 13 forms to anyone seen causing anti social behaviour. The ASB team will log details on a database and if a person comes to our attention a number of times or is involved in a serious incident they will be seen and offered advice and support but also informed of what will happen if they continue to cause a nuisance.

This all helps to take enforcement action.

However, we cannot do this without the help of residents who complete diary sheets that provide information suce as the date and time of incidents. Residents can remain anonymous when completing diary sheets and they can still be used to help to convince the Court that an ASBO, CRASBO or eviction is really necessary.

Partnership Working

We are working with THL to have one central telephone number to report all incidents of anti social behaviour irrespective of whether the caller is a homeowner or rents their home from a landlord. This line will be answered by the ASB Team during office hours and by the Control Room in the Council's Security and Surveillance Centre at all other times.

Monthly Joint Action Group (JAGS) are held in the Thornaby, Billingham and Stockton policing districts. The Police Inspector for that area chairs these multi agency meetings and operational staff discuss issues affecting that locality, bringing local knowledge and offering solutions. Those who attended are given tasks to do to resolve the situations that are discussed and this ensures that all aspects of the problem and possible solutions are examined. If this group recmmends that an ASBO or CRASBO should be sought there will be further discussion at the monthly Problem Solving Group meeting (PSG) before this decision is endorsed.

Prevention and Parenting Support

We will work closely with the Targeted Youth Support Services based in the Council's Children Eductation and Social Care Service Group. When a young person comes to our attention; either through their school or an AS13, a warning letter is issued to their parent(s) and a referral is made to an Integrated Youth Support service (IYSS) for support and assistance for the parents of the child. Parents may be offered a place on a voluntary parenting programme. When our support and preventative work has not succeeded in stopping the anti social behaviour we will apply to the Court for an ASBO or CRASBO and then work with the YOS to prevent the young person from breaching the order. However, if we apply to the Court for an ASBO or CRASBO against a young person we will ask the Court for a Parenting Order that requires the parent(s) to take part in a programme. An ASBO is a civil sanction, unless it is breached, when a criminal sanction is applied.

Delibrate Fire Setting

We will work with our partners in the Fire Service to identify young people who set fires, threaten or abuse fire officers or make hoax calls. Where appropriate support and/or enforcement will be used to tackle these issues.

The third Anti Social Behaviour Strategy was produced during May 2008 providing full details on how we will tackle anti social behaviour in the Borough.

We will provide a number of services and projects to reduce anti social behaviour with a strong focus on prevention and support as a first response, followed by enforcement where this is unsuccessful: