Anti social behaviour (ASB)

We want to build sustainable communities, where people want to live and where they feel safe and free from harassment or fear. We believe that everyone has a right to live in their homes free from abuse, threats and stress caused by anti-social behaviour (ASB), whether they are Trust residents or not.

We expect our residents and homeowners to abide by their Tenancy and Leasehold Agreements, which includes ensuring they, their families and their visitors are not the cause of ASB.

If you experience any anti-social behaviour, your Customer Relationship Manager can provide you with help or advice. We will take all reports of ASB very seriously and make sure they are investigated and appropriate action taken to resolve them.

What is Anti Social Behaviour (ASB)?

ASB is any action or conduct that is likely to cause distress or alarm to another. It can take many forms, and vary from just causing nuisance or disturbance, to making people feel threatened and afraid.

Some examples of the problems we deal with are:

• Persistent noise, especially at unsociable hours
• Graffiti and vandalism
• Littering, fly-tipping and dumping vehicles
• Hoax, silent or threatening calls
• Damage to property
• Illegal activities like drug dealing from the premises
• Bullying, intimidation or harassment
• Physical violence, or the threat of violence
• Domestic abuse
• Harassment because of race, disability or any other perceived difference
• A malicious and unfounded accusation of ASB against another

ASB actions directed against someone because of his or her race, nationality or ethnic origin is considered racially motivated harassment.

What to do if you are suffering from ASB

• Start to make notes of any occurances of ASB, what happens and especially dates and times they occur
• Report the incident of ASB online here >>
• During office hours, you can contact your Customer Relationship Manager by phone on 01296 732600, out of hours, you can leave us a message about ASB incidents on 0800 321 3091
• You can write to your CRM at Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust, Fairfax House, 69 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury Bucks HP20 2NJ or call in at our offices to speak to someone confidentially in person
• If the incident is serious, call the police.

What can the Trust do?

Our staff are specially trained to deal with this kind of situation and we also work in partnership with other agencies, like the Police, Social Services, Probation Services and AVDC to ensure that problems are resolved.

There are many steps we can take, from mediating with the families concerned ,to legal action that may lead to a legally binding commitment, like Acceptable Behaviour Contracts or Anti Social Behaviour Orders.

Most cases are resolved through partnership working that provides help to resolve problems and sustain the tenancy. However, in extreme cases where other action has failed to resolve the situation, we will take legal action to evict persistant perpetrators.