Anti-social behaviour
What is anti-social behaviour?
Anti-social behaviour is any conduct that has caused - or is likely to cause - harassment, alarm, distress, or nuisance to others. This can include behaviour that bothers people in public spaces or their homes.
There are three main categories for anti-social behaviour are:
- Personal anti-social behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group.
- Nuisance anti-social behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.
- Environmental anti-social behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.
You can find the full legal definition of ASB in Section 2 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
How to report anti-social behaviour
The term anti-social behaviour covers a wide range of behaviours, topics, and services provided by agencies including Cheshire Police, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Registered Providers of social housing.
You should call 999 if…
- There is an immediate danger to life.
- Someone is using violence or is threatening to be violent.
- A crime is happening right now, like drug dealing or a theft.
- The suspect is still at the scene.
If you are a tenant of a Registered Provider of social housing
(such as Sanctuary Housing, Weaver Vale Housing Trust, Muir Housing, Plus Dane etc.) you should report concerns about anti-social behaviour to your social landlord for action and investigation in the first instance.
Your housing provider will investigate reports of anti-social behaviour and consider using their enforcement powers to address the issue, or where required will work with other agencies such as Cheshire Police and the Council to coordinate a multiagency response.
The following types of anti-social behaviour should be reported to Cheshire Police:
- Threatening, offensive or indecent behaviour
- Harassment or intimidation
- Drug use or drug dealing
- Vandalism or criminal damage to private property
- Assault or physical violence
- Begging
- Gang-related activity
- Stolen vehicles
- Vehicles obstructing the road
- Speeding or dangerous driving
You can report to Cheshire Police in a non-emergency by calling 101, or online at the Cheshire Police website:
The following types of anti-social behaviour should be reported to Cheshire West and Chester Council using the links provided:
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
- Report Online
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
- Report Online
- Phone: 01244 973708 (between 10am and 4pm, Mon – Fri)
- Email: RegulatoryServices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
- Report Online
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
- Report Online
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
- Report Online
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
- Report Online
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
- Report Online
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
- Report Online
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
- Report Online
- Phone: 01244 973708 (between 10am and 4pm, Mon – Fri)
- Email: RegulatoryServices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
- Report Online
Businesses operating in Cheshire West and Chester may also be able to contact the Councils CCTV department and other operational resources using Co-Sign radio to gather evidence.
Business should still report ASB using the methods outlined above, but notifying CCTV and other resources may improve outcomes.
To find more information on the Cheshire and North Wales Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) please visit: www.disc-net.org/chester/
You can provide information about anti-social behaviour anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers via phone on 0800 555111 or online.
The Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Case Review is a process which allows members of the community to ask the local Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to undertake a multi-agency review of the response to complaints of ASB.
You can find more information and request an ASB Case Review online on our local CSP website.