Anti-Social Behaviour
Everyone has the right to enjoy their home and to live the way that they choose, providing it does not affect the quality of life of others. Bernicia aims to ensure that our estates are peaceful and secure places for residents to enjoy and we recognise the disruption and misery that anti-social behaviour can cause. The following information highlights our approach to tackling anti-social behaviour and what you can expect from us.
We are committed to the prevention of anti-social behaviour and to tackle problems swiftly and effectively, we will do this by:
• Responding to complaints quickly and sensitively in the strictest of confidence
• Delivering flexible and proportionate responses to anti-social behaviour
• Working with residents, the local community and other agencies including the police
• Providing support to people reporting incidents of anti social behaviour.
Residents, Community and Support
Encouraging residents to take a stand with our support is a key element of our approach. We aim to work with residents to create a sense of community, trust and confidence and actively encourage residents to report and record evidence to help us tackle this problem.
Working with Partners
We regularly meet with the police and other local agencies to discuss any issues affecting our estates and the wider community.
We have also developed relationships with a range of partners including mediation services, local authorities and various other support groups in order to support victims and tackle anti-social behaviour swiftly and effectively.
What is Anti-Social Behaviour?
We consider this to be behaviour which causes nuisance, annoyance, alarm or distress to other people living or working in a community. It could include things like noise nuisance or threatening behaviour and intimidation.
How to report Anti-Social Behaviour?
Please ring our Customer Service Team on 0844 800 3800 or Email enquiries@bernicia.com
What you can expect from us if you are experiencing anti-social behaviour.
If we receive a report that anti-social behaviour has taken place – we will:
• Take the matter seriously.
• Respect the confidentiality of victims and complainants.
• Ensure that all interviews take place in appropriate surroundings, and that complainants can be accompanied for support, if necessary:
• Provide ‘same sex’ interviews, if requested.
• Investigate complaints in an objective, sensitive, confidential and unbiased manner.
• Take firm and prompt action against perpetrators where appropriate and make every effort to support victims in their homes.
• Work with other agencies where appropriate and with the victims consent.
• Discuss our proposed course of action with you.
• Keep you informed on the progress of the action throughout the life of the case.
In supporting victims – we will:
• Visit victims at home, or arrange interviews at a local office or alternative venue, if preferred.
• Treat all reports and interviews as strictly confidential unless we receive information that we are obliged to pass to another agency.
• Take no action in cases of harassment without the victims consent.
• Carry out repairs to properties that have been damaged as a result of harassment wherever possible.
• Remove racist/offensive graffiti, within 24 hours.
• Provide access to a telephone interpretation service and arrange interviews with interpreters or signers present.
• Arrange for letters or other written material to be sent for translation, if required.
On receiving a complaint – we will respond:
• In one working day to cases involving domestic violence
• In one working day to cases involving racial abuse/harassment
• In one working day to all other violence cases (threat or actual)
• In five working days to all other breaches of tenancy
In conclusion – we will:
• Aim to conduct investigations and arrive at a sustainable solution within the shortest timescale
• Operate an effective system of case closure Feedback