Anti social behaviour Anti-social behaviour covers a wide range of acts that can include verbal abuse, vandalism, joyriding, noise nuisance, criminal damage, assault, throwing missiles, underage drinking, engaging in threatening behaviour in groups or harassment of residents or passers-by.

If you are being subjected to anti-social behaviour, which is causing you alarm, harassment or distress, then you can report it to Devon and Cornwall Police online here: Report Anti Social Behaviour

The Anti-social behaviour case worker for your area will look at your report and give the appropriate advice or action. You can also report by;

What you can do now!

Reporting and recording anti-social acts is extremely important. Keeping a diary or log of events is an effective way of evidencing repeated anti-social acts. What times do the events occur? Who is normally involved? What type of behaviour is it? Please use diary sheets that may be supplied to you to make relevant, factual notes of what is happening. Anti-social behaviour is not something individuals or communities have to put up with. Together we can tackle it.

What happens when a report of anti-social behaviour is made?

In the first instance if repeated acts of anti-social behaviour are reported and evidenced then a warning should be issued to the perpetrator(s) normally from the police, council or social landlord, highlighting that the behaviour displayed is unacceptable and should cease. If the anti-social behaviour continues then a second and final warning is issued along with support to address the causes of the behaviour. If reports of anti-social acts are still reported then the last stage is generally some form of legal action.

Please note that although there is an escalation process in dealing with anti-social behavioural issues, if the behaviour is of sufficient gravity then it may constitute immediate action as opposed to going through the escalation process.

Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places 2023

A PSPO identifies a public space (the Restricted Area) and prohibits certain activities within that area and/ or requires certain things to be done by persons engaging in certain activities within that area. PSPOs should focus on identified problem behaviour(s), rather than targeting specific individuals or properties. A breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review (Formerly known as the community trigger).

The Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review (also known as the ‘Community Trigger’) was introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 in order to provide a statutory ‘safety net’ for those victims of anti-social behaviour who do not feel they have received a satisfactory response to their complaints about anti-social behaviour.

What else can be done to tackle anti-social behaviour?

Tackling anti-social behaviour is not just down to one person or service. Anti-social behaviour affects the community and therefore agencies such as the Police and Council rely on the community to report and account for incidents of such behaviour. Environmental crime is dealt with by a range of services detailed below:

Relevant department links below for the most direct response.

Dog Fouling

Civil Parking Enforcement

Fly Tipping on Council Land

Report Abandoned Cars

Noise nuisance 

A new ASB Strategy for Cornwall

Anti-social behaviour in all its forms is a very visible sign of disorder in our communities and is closely linked to perceptions of safety, satisfaction with the local area as a place to live, and confidence in local services. In its most persistent and serious forms anti-social behaviour can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing. The strategy sets out our coordinated approach to address anti-social behaviour to ensure we work together to exercise our responsibilities in order to protect the rights of those living, working and visiting Cornwall.

You can read the ASB Strategy by clicking on the link below.

Cornwall ASB Strategy 2020-2023

Body Worn Camera

Operational Procedure, Policy, and Privacy Impact Assessment for the use of BODYWORN VIDEO (BWV)

Body Worn Video ASB Team Procedure Body worn video devices privacy notice 2023-bpia-template ASB Body worn video

Hate Crime

A hate incident is any kind of behaviour that causes fear, alarm or distress where the victim or anyone else feels that they have been targeted because of their racial heritage, religion or beliefs, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. If a criminal offence has been committed a hate incident becomes a hate crime. This can mean threats, damage to property, verbal abuse, offensive graffiti, harassment and violence. It may be targeted at one person or at a group of people.

Click here to find out more information.

Personal accounts / Diaries

In demonstrating the repeated nature of anti-social acts, personal accounts and diaries help to build up consistent evidence about the nature, frequency and severity of anti-social acts. It helps to quantify the effects that anti-social behaviour has on a personal level and the harassment, alarm or distress it causes to individuals. People often feel more comfortable keeping a personal account as opposed to giving a formal statement to the police, although victim personal statements are a powerful form of evidence.

ASB Diary ASB Diary Extra Pages ASB Diary Guide

How important are personal accounts?

Action against anti-social behaviour takes place under civil law. This means that important evidence like victim personal accounts and/or diaries or notes showing repeated anti-social behaviour acts can be used in court as evidence against anyone who is identified as being involved in repeated acts of Anti-social behaviour. If the case comes to court, witnesses do not have to give evidence or be identified in court. A professional witness i.e. a police officer can be used to relay personal accounts in court on behalf of the witness. Witness protection is an extremely high priority and all measures are taken to protect identity where requested.