We can act on anti-social behaviour if we have evidence. If you experience anti-social behaviour you should report it so we can investigate and take the right action to stop it.
Report anti social behaviour
We treat all reports about anti-social behaviour in confidence. Some examples of anti-social behaviour you might experience are:
- nuisance neighbours
- vandalism, graffiti and fly-posting
- people dealing in and buying drugs on the street
- people dumping rubbish and abandoning cars
- begging and anti-social drinking
- misusing fireworks
- prostitution
- intimidation/harassment
- vehicle related nuisance.
Diary Sheets
The Council needs evidence before they can take action against someone committing anti-social behaviour.
Completing diary sheets are an important way of building up a picture of the situation and the information you provide could be used in court.
Not all complaints about antisocial behaviour go as far as the courts though; many are solved by talking through the problem with those responsible or by involving another agency.
Mediation
Luton Mediation can help you settle a disagreement between you and your neighbour.
Two trained mediators meet with the parties in a safe and neutral environment to listen to how both parties see the problem. They help the parties look at possible ways of improving the situation without having to go to Court.
This can often be quicker, less stressful and less costly to the individuals. Over 90% of mediation agreements are successful.
They provide a free service and can be contacted on 01582 411822.
Follow this link to read our mediation factsheet.
How the Council deals with anti-social behaviour
Tenants who commit anti-social behaviour can voluntarily agree an acceptable behaviour contract with the council. There are also a number of legal ways that the council can deal with anti-social behaviour caused by tenants including:
- eviction from a person’s council home
- obtaining an injunction, noise abatement notice or serving an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) to legally require a person to change their behaviour
- demoting a person’s tenancy that removes some of their tenancy rights
Why your report of anti social behaviour might not be acted on
Sometimes we will choose not to act on a report of anti-social behaviour. We will do this when someone has reported to us just to get someone else into trouble. If the problem is to do with things like noise or cooking smells the problem could be solved simply by neighbours talking to each other.
Noise Nuisance
Think about how the noise you make might affect your neighbours. If you have a problem with the noise your neighbour makes you should talk with them about it. Your neighbour may not be aware that their noise is too loud.
Who to contact
Illegal and criminal activity such as violence and drugs should be reported to the police.
Harassment, verbal abuse, intimidation or threats involving tenants can be reported to the police, your housing officer on 01582 745400, or the tenancy enforcement team on 01582 54 72 78 or e-mail at asb@luton.gov.uk.
Anti-social behaviour involving people who are not tenants are dealt with by the police or the Community Safety Team on 01582 55 66 29.
Other contacts:
Tenancy Management Team
Tel: 01582 54 73 04
e-mail: Housing.tenancy@luton.gov.uk
Tenancy Enforcement Team
Tel: 01582 54 72 78
E mail: ASB@luton.gov.uk
Community Safety Team
Tel: 01582 55 66 29
Email: CommunitySafety@luton.gov.uk
Environmental Protection
(for noise nuisance)
Tel: 01582 51 03 30
Police Hate Crime Unit
Tel: 01582 39 40 17
Luton Police
Tel: 01582 40 12 12
Luton Mediation:
Tel: 01582 41 18 22
Email: lutonmediation@ic24.net
Victim Support
Tel: 01582 72 37 79
Email: lutonvs@victimsupport.org.uk