Anti-Social Behaviour (MHA)
Magna is firmly committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and harassment experienced by, or perpetrated by, our residents. We have a “zero tolerance” approach and will use whatever solutions are available to us to stamp out problems. We would like to encourage anyone who is suffering from racial or other harassment, or any other form of anti-social behaviour, to let us know. We will deal with complaints in confidence where necessary, and we can offer support to victims. The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 came into force in 2004.
Under this act, Magna was required to do the following:
- Prepare a policy and procedures for dealing with anti-social behaviour
- Publish statements of this policy and procedures by 30th December 2004
- Ensure the statements are available for inspection and that a summary of the statements is available, free-ofcharge, to anyone requesting it.
Download the summary of Magna Housing Association's policies and procedures on anti-social behaviour
What is anti-social behaviour?
Anti-social behaviour is a general term used to describe a whole range of things that people do to upset other residents. According to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, anti-social behaviour is behaviour which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people who are not in the same household as the perpetrator. In addition, Magna deals with domestic violence and other incidents involving members of the same household in a smiliar way.
The summary of our policies and procedures (see link above) provides a more detailed definition and examples of anti-social behaviour.
Dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Team
For some time we considered the possibility of setting up a dedicated function within our Housing Management Section to deal with the growing number of complaints regarding anti-social behaviour.
We had already formed a dedicated team of rent recovery officers which proved to be very successful.
In May 2007, we restructured and using existing staff members we formed two more teams, one dealing specifically with Anti-Social Behaviour and the other with Tenancy Management.
We do not allocate ‘patches’ to our Housing Officers in the ASB team but respond to each case as soon as we can and by the person best suited to deal with it at the time.
Categories of anti-social behaviour, and our response times
Anti-social behaviour has been classified into categories and given response times to deal with it.
Category A:
Allegations of Extreme Anti-Social Behaviour
Response time: one working day.
Some examples may be….
Criminal activity involving violence
Drug dealing
Assault
Threats of violence
Harassment (Including racial harrassment and hate crime)
Domestic violence
Category B:
Allegations of Serious Anti-Social Behaviour
Response time: three working days
Some examples may be …….
Aggressive and abusive behaviour
Frequent and persistent disturbances (including noise)
Drug, solvent and alcohol abuse in communal areas
Vandalism
Category C:
Allegations of Anti-Social Behaviour
Response time: five working days.
Some examples may be……
Constant pet nuisance
Door slamming and arguing
Category D:
Allegations of Nuisance
Response time: five working days
Contact the Tenancy Management Team for
any other breaches of tenancy other than rent arrears.
Some examples may be…….
Abandoned cars
Untidy gardens
Boundary disputes
Dog fouling in communal areas
Dumping rubbish in communal areas
Smoking in communal areas
Categories of Response Times (link)
How to make a complaint about anti-social behaviour
There are several ways for you to make a complaint of anti-social behaviour.
• By telephone: 0800 358 6025 or 01305 216090
• In writing
• Email to asbteam@magna.org.uk for category A,B and C complaints or tenancymanagement@magna.org.uk for category D complaints
• Completing a copy of the Incident Diary
It is important if you feel that you are being threatened or in danger you report the incident to the police.
We work very closely with the Police and Crime and Disorder Partnerships, collectively we have different tools to tackle anti-social behaviour. We share information to enable us to plan the best course of action. This could include involve other agencies such as; Environmental Health, Youth Workers, Social Care and Health and Mental Health Teams.
Police Authorities
Avon & Somerset 01275 816377
Devon & Cornwall 01392 268333
Dorset 01305 223966
Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers operate to help identify, prevent, solve and reduce crime. This invaluble community service enables anyone with details of criminal activity to pass them on anonymously, without fear of exposure or retribution.
All it takes to pass on information is one call to 0800 555 111.
National Domestic Violence Helpline
24 hour free phone service 0808 2000 247
Anti-social behaviour Diary
The tables below show the complaints we have received relating to anti-social behaviour and the action we have taken over the past year (07/08):
Complaints of anti-social behaviour and harassment
| 2008 - 2009 |
ASB new cases |
ASB on-going cases |
ASB re-opened cases |
ASB closed cases |
ABC |
ASBO |
Section 21 Notice |
Injunction |
| April |
18 |
65 |
1 |
14 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| May |
16 |
73 |
1 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| June |
18 |
80 |
1 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| July |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| August |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| September |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| October |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| November |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| December |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| January |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| February |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| March |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Actions taken against anti-social behaviour
| 2008 - 2009 |
Mediation Referral |
Mediation taken place |
ASB Hearing |
ASB NOSP |
Demotion NOSP |
Eviction |
| April |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| May |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| June |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| July |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| August |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| September |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| October |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| November |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| December |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| January |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| February |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| March |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
last updated 14.08.2008 |
