Information on anti-social behaviour (ASB), and how you can report it
The King's Lynn Operational Partnership
We work with partner agencies through the King’s Lynn Operational Partnership Team (OPT) to address anti-social behaviour in West Norfolk.
The OPT includes representatives from Norfolk Police (who are co-located at our offices), Housing Associations, and other agencies.
The OPT works with both perpetrators and victims of anti-social behaviour to resolve the issue, whether this is with an individual or a group of people who are causing or suffering harm.
We work with Parish Councils and communities to ensure public spaces are clean and safe.
Our responsibilities
We'll do all we reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in our area. We play a key part in dealing with anti-social behaviour of all kinds and also undertake project and preventative work.
We work closely with our Environmental Health Team who leads on our response to complaints of environmental ASB, such as:
- noise
- smoke/odour/fumes (not drug related)
- dangerous/unsecure structures
- graffiti
- litter and dumped rubbish
- dog fouling
What is anti-social behaviour?
Anti-social behaviour can be environmental, nuisance or personal.
ASB is defined as “Behaviour by a person which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as the person” (Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 & Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011).
However, the definition for use of legal interventions has become wider and require the evidential tests to met.
The types of complaints we may not be able to investigate
The complaint types listed below may fall outside of the ASB powers but we will do our best to provide information, advice and guidance or signpost you to an appropriate organisation.
While we may decide to investigate the complaint, each case will be based on its own merits as to whether the legal thresholds are met, and it’s in the public interest to seek a formal resolution.
- Normal domestic living noise
- Domestic/commercial CCTV systems
- Children playing - including football games in public open spaces
- Access/egress and boundary disputes
- Disputes over allocated parking bays
- Parking outside schools, on pavements or parking on the highway
- Noise created by transport systems, aeroplanes, trains, boats and buses
- Animals urinating
- Odour, smoke or fume from cannabis or other illegal substances,
- Invasive plant species (such as Japanese Knotweed/Giant Hogweed)
- Criminal offences (which are not Environmental Crime)
What effect can anti-social behaviour have?
The impact on the quality of life for those affected by ASB can be severe. It can affect people's self- esteem, their perceived safety in their own home and their mental and physical wellbeing. In the most severe cases, it can have tragic consequences and it is often the most vulnerable in society who are at most risk from the effects of ASB.
How to report anti-social behaviour
To report anti-social behaviour you'll need to know:
- the perpetrators details (if known)
- the type of behaviour and how long it's been going on
Please contact us to make your report, our contact details are at the bottom of this page.
Our principles
If you complain to us we will assist you by:
- listening to your experience and using our professional judgement to respond accordingly
- risk assessing your case
- not using a ‘one size fits all’ approach
No one should have to put up with anti-social behaviour, so we will:
- make people aware what anti-social behaviour is
- publicise and promote the services that we have that we use to respond to ASB
- encourage people to report ASB and make it possible for them to do this using a range of reporting methods
- seek to respond to each report of ASB as quickly as is reasonably possible
- respond appropriately to the amount and quality of information and evidence provide
What action will we take?
Depending on the severity, we have agreed levels of intervention that we will use to deal with ASB (The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014).
Community Prevention/Intervention
A community prevention or intervention is sued in a specific geographical area. It aims to prevent or reduce complaints of anti-social behaviour that affect the wider community or environment. It can be used where there is not a clearly identified victim or perpetrator.
It includes:
- awareness raising
- Alcohol reduction for under 18s
- street audit
- Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel
- street briefing
- ASB case review/community trigger
- dispersal powers
- public spaces protection order
Direct Intervention
A direct intervention is used when there is a named victim and/or perpetrator. By nature, they tend to be agreed to voluntarily by the alleged perpetrator (and the complainant where appropriate), and there are no clear or immediate consequences if actions are not adhered to.
It includes:
- partnership home visit
- restorative justice
- Youth Inclusion Support Panel
- security advice
- social inclusion
- Family Intervention Project
- case conference
- acceptable behaviour contract
Legal Intervention
A legal intervention are normally considered as a last resort in modify a person’s behaviour by one or more agency once lower-level interventions have been repeatedly unsuccessful, or if an alleged perpetrator has made no effort to engage with the authorities and agencies to change their behaviour. Legal interventions normally follow a staged intervention process unless there is a significant risk to life, limb or property.
It includes:
- exclusion from home
- Noise Abatement Notice
- Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction
- Criminal Behaviour Order
- Fixed Penalty Notice
- Closure Notice/Order
- Section 59 (vehicles)
- Drink Banning Order
- Crack House Closure
- recovery of possession of dwelling-house on the grounds of anti-social behaviour
- Community Protection Notice
Any action we take will be in line with our corporate enforcement policy.
ASB Case Review (formerly known as Community Trigger)
An ASB Case Review gives victims the right to require action is taken where an ongoing anti-social behaviour (ASB) problem has not been addressed. This asks agencies such as the local council, police and housing providers to review collectively how they have responded, by conducting an anti-social behaviour Case Review.
The ASB Case Review does not replace the complaints procedures of individual organisations, which should be used where there is dissatisfaction with the conduct of an individual agency. Nor does the Trigger replace your opportunity to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman or Independent Police Complaints Commission.
If you have an ongoing ASB problem that is being actively dealt with by the council, police or registered housing provider, your case is not appropriate for the ASB Case Review. Norfolk’s threshold for triggering an ASB Case Review is when an application has been received and you have reported at least three qualifying incidents of anti-social behaviour within six months.
Once you have asked for a ASB Case Review, the agencies involved will pool details of the anti-social behaviour incidents you have reported and actions that they have taken.
A meeting will take place between the appropriate Community Safety Partnership agencies, the social housing provider and other partners (if they are involved) to discuss the anti-social behaviour and what actions have been considered and taken. The group will review how the Partnership has responded and make recommendations on how the problem can be resolved.
A response will be sent to you, explaining the action taken and also suggestions on how the Partnership can attempt to resolve the anti-social behaviour.
If you are not satisfied with the response during the ASB Case Review process, you can appeal.