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What is anti-social behaviour? Examples, definitions and what counts
Find out the difference between anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance and neighbourhood management issues.
If you are in immediate danger, phone the police on 999.
What is anti-social behaviour (ASB)?
ASB is behaviour which has caused or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
It can affect one person or a whole neighbourhood. It covers many things such as illegal behaviour, violence, harassment, youth nuisance and sometimes noise.
Crimes and hate crimes
In an emergency
- Call the police on 999
If it is not an emergency
- Report the crime to the police first by calling 101 or reporting it online
- This includes hate crimes, which must be reported to the police so they can be recorded and tracked nationally
After reporting to the police
- Report the issue to us online, via live chat, or call 0345 141 4663
- We will need the name of the police office, an incident report number and telephone number
- By reporting the incident to us, we can work with you and the police to provide support and help progress the case
Reporting information anonymously
- If you are not the victim but have information about a crime, you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers
- Crimestoppers cannot take reports from victims, as they do not collect personal details
Examples of anti-social behaviour
Hate crimes: harassing or causing harm to people based on their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or other protected characteristics.
A hate crime is a criminal offence. If you have experienced a hate crime follow our guidance.
We believe everyone has the right to feel safe and respected in their home and community. Find out about our 'no home for hate' charter.
Crime/illegal activity: unlawful acts that break the law, like drug dealing and consumption
Vandalism: damaging or defacing property, such as graffiti or breaking windows
Bullying: repeatedly harassing, intimidating, or threatening someone
Public disturbance: loud and rowdy behaviour, public drunkenness, or causing other disturbances
Public intoxication: alcohol or drug use in public places, leading to disruptive or dangerous behaviour
Assault: physically harming or threatening to harm someone
Theft: stealing someone’s property or belongings without permission
Harassment: repeatedly bothering or tormenting someone through unwanted attention, actions, or communication
Fly tipping: illegal dumping of waste of rubbish
What is noise nuisance?
Noise nuisance is things like excessive loud music, parties, or noise disturbances that disrupt neighbours and the community.
We deal with excessive noise within our ASB process and will manage generic household noise under our neighbourhood management process.
Examples of noise nuisance
Loud music: playing music at a high volume, including music from vehicles, in a residential area
Construction work: noisy construction activities like drilling, hammering, or using heavy machinery late at night or early in the morning
Parties: hosting loud parties with blaring music and shouting that disturbs the peace
Barking dogs: persistent and loud barking or howling
Car alarms: continuous car alarms going off
Traffic noise: loud engines, honking of horns or sirens that disrupt a quiet neighbourhood
Noisy neighbours: frequent arguments, shouting, or slamming doors
What is a neighbourhood management issue?
Some problems may disturb, annoy or upset you, this is considered a neighbourhood management issue. It is different to anti-social behaviour, which could cause harassment, alarm or distress.
If you are bothered by any of these issues the first thing to consider is how unreasonable your neighbour is being. It may be best to discuss the issue with family or friends before contacting us about it.
Most neighbours do not mean to irritate others and are sometimes unaware they are doing it. If it is persistent, prolonged noise can impact our day-to-day living and become an anti-social behaviour issue.
Examples of neighbourhood management issues
- Inconsiderate parking
- Dogs barking (an isolated incident, or for a short period of time)
- Banging doors or closing doors within reason
- Children playing, including ball games
- Reasonable day to day living noise
- Young people gathering socially, unless they are being intimidating
- Reasonable day to day living noise such as walking around the property, including going up and down the stairs
- Cooking smells
- One off parties, celebrations, barbecues, or household gatherings at reasonable times
- Singing, whistling, and talking loudly
- Using household appliances such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, showers, toilets, or lawnmowers at reasonable times
- DIY in reasonable hours
- Lifestyle or cultural differences like noise from coming home from shift work, meditation, praying and bins not being back
- Young children or babies crying which do not raise any safeguarding concerns
- Moving furniture
- Social media, gossip or email disputes that are not harassment or a hate crime
How to report anti-social behaviour or noise nuisance
We would never expect you to approach a neighbour or deal with anti-social behaviour/noise issues if you feel unsafe, or a crime has occurred. To make a report, speak to us on live chat, or...
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