Anti-Social Behaviour

A person is involved in anti-social behaviour if they cause alarm, distress or harassment to any person, not in the same household as themselves.

Anti-social behaviour disrupts the lives of many people bringing misery and despair. Whole communities can be affected by the actions of an anti-social minority and the problem is a cause of concern for residents, tenants and landlords alike.

When tackling this problem it is necessary to assess what constitutes anti-social behaviour. It can be difficult to define and can range from noisy parties to threats of violence.

The task of dealing with such problems is a multi-agency one with roles for the PSNI, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Youth Justice, local community groups and the Council.

The Environmental Services Department actively participates in the local Anti-social Behaviour Forum and is consulted when ASBO’s (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders) are to be served.

The Environmental Health Department has statutory powers to investigate complaints regarding certain forms of anti-social behaviour such as:

• neighbourhood noise including noisy parties, noisy neighbours, dog barking
• abandoned and nuisance vehicles
• litter
• drinking in public
• graffiti and fly posting
• cigarette and tobacco sales to young persons
• dog fouling

The Council also has powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods legislation to issue a Gating Order in certain areas where anti-social behaviour is a problem provided certain criteria are met.  Such Orders require the physical gating of alleyways or streets where regular anti-social behaviour occurs and it is believed that an Order would reduce the incidence of such behaviour.