Community Safety Partnership

Working together for a safer Bexley

Anti-Social Behaviour

Improving the Quality of Life in Local Communities

There is not a universally agreed definition of anti-social behaviour, which can range from the dropping of litter to serious harassment. The law defines criminal activities but defining other types of anti-social behaviour is less clear.

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 defines anti-social behaviour, for the purpose of local authorities and the police applying for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, as acting:

“in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as {the defendant}.”

Although many types of anti-social or disorderly behaviour may not necessarily constitute a crime it is the kind of low-level, persistent disturbance that can severely impact on the quality of life in local communities.

Click here to learn more about Bexley's Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy (600KB, PDF file)

In order for us to take action against people involved in anti social behaviour it is important for us to gather evidence. One method that we use to do this is diary sheets. If you have problems with anti social behaviour you can use diary sheets.

diary sheets printable version (35KB, PDF file) Download and print this form. You can then fill it out and post it to the freepost address stated.

diary sheets email version (64KB, Word document) First, save the file to your computer. When you have filled it out, return the diary sheet as an email attachment to the following email address: community.safety@bexley.gov.uk

diary sheet information (410KB, PDF file) You may wish to read this file for help in filling out the diary sheets.

Always dial 999 in the case of emergencies.

In the absence of an agreed definition of anti-social behaviour, tackling some issues has, at times, been difficult because it is not always clear which service is best placed to address the problems. Behaviour considered acceptable to some may be unacceptable to others and standards of acceptable behaviour vary between the young and old and within communities.Therefore understanding and awareness of the needs of others is required to tackle anti-social behaviour effectively. This demonstrates the importance of operating a problem solving approach within a multi agency partnership to develop local anti-social behaviour strategies. BCSP has developed a clear approach to tackling anti-social or disorderly behaviour and has produced a leaflet to explain the process.

Find out more about Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and other strategies for tackling Anti-Social Behaviour...