Anti-Social Behaviour
Dealing with persistent noise disturbances, vandalism, harassment, or other forms of disruptive, anti-social behaviour can be incredibly distressing. Not to mention that it can sometimes escalate to a point where it poses a threat to your safety and that of your loved ones.
At Lawhive, we believe everyone deserves to live in a peaceful and safe environment. We also understand the emotional and practical challenges you may be facing related to anti-social behaviour. As such, our network of experienced neighbour dispute lawyers is here to provide the expert support you need to reclaim serenity and peace, both in your environment and mind.
From initial advice and evidence gathering to filing complaints and representing you in court, we offer a full range of affordable legal services tailored to your needs through our intuitive online platform.
What legal actions can I take against a neighbour for anti-social behaviour?
What should I do if my neighbour retaliates after I report them for anti-social behaviour?
Can mediation help resolve neighbour disputes involving anti-social behaviour?
Can I take legal action if anti-social behaviour is discriminatory?
What is the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014?
Don't let anti-social behaviour disrupt your life any longer.
Contact us today to speak with one of our Legal Assessment Specialists and get a fixed-fee no-obligation quote for the services of a specialist lawyer to support you in taking back control and enjoying the peace you deserve.
What is anti-social behaviour?
Anti-social behaviour is any action that causes harm, distress, or annoyance to other people.
It can include a wide range of activities that disrupt the peace and comfort of a community or individuals, making them feel unsafe and unhappy in their homes and neighbourhoods.
Examples of anti-social behaviour
Common examples of anti-social behaviour include:
Playing loud music, shouting, or making excessive noise, especially at night.
Vandalism such as graffiti, breaking windows, or other forms of destruction to property.
Harassment.
Leaving rubbish in public places or dumping waste illegally.
Public drunkenness.
Using or dealing drugs in public.
Allowing pets to cause a nuisance, such as constant barking or not cleaning up after them.
How to deal with anti-social behaviour
If you are dealing with anti-social behaviour in your neighbourhood regularly you should keep a record of incidents, noting dates, times, what happened, and who was involved.
If you feel safe, consider speaking to the person causing the problem. Explain how their actions are affecting you and ask them to stop.
You might also consider speaking to other neighbours to see if they are experiencing the same issues. You may be able to work together to keep your area safe by starting or joining a neighbourhood watch group.
If the anti-social behaviour continues, you can contact your local council to report it. Often, they have teams that deal with such issues and should offer advice and support.
If the anti-social behaviour is criminal or you feel threatened, you should contact the police, either on the non-emergency number (101) or 999 if it's an emergency.
In some circumstances, you may wish to explore legal actions against neighbours, such as an injunction. In the first instance, you should seek advice from a neighbour dispute solicitor for guidance on the best actions related to your case.
At Lawhive, we offer free case evaluations for neighbour disputes. This involves a 10-15 minute telephone call with a Legal Assessment Specialist who will ask questions about your matter and recommend the best course of action based on the situation.
Contact us today to schedule your free evaluation and get a no-obligation quote for the services of a specialist lawyer.
What legal actions can I take against a neighbour for anti-social behaviour?
If you are dealing with anti-social behaviour from a neighbour, legal actions available to you include:
Reporting it to the local authorities, such as your local council or Environmental Health if the behaviour involves noise or pollution.
Involving the police.
Requesting a Community Protection Notice if the anti-social behaviour is persistent and affecting your quality of life.
Applying for an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction.
Filing a nuisance claim in the County Court.
The police or local council can also apply for either a Criminal Behaviour Order if the individual has been convicted of an offence and their behaviour has caused harassment, alarm, or distress. This imposes restrictions on the individual to prevent future anti-social behaviour.
Alternatively, if the anti-social behaviour involves excessive noise, the local council may issue a Noise Abatement Notice. If your neighbour does not comply with this notice, they may face fines or prosecution.
What is a Community Protection Notice?
A Community Protection Notice aims to stop ongoing anti-social behaviour that is having a detrimental effect on the community. It requires the person or organisation responsible to stop the behaviour and take steps to fix the situation.
Local council offers and police officers can issue Community Protection Notices following a written warning.
Some examples of behaviour that are addressed by a Community Protection Notice include:
Drunken or threatening behaviour
Vandalism and graffiti
Playing loud music at night.