The guidance relates to the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime
and Policing Act 2014, which provides police and local
authorities with a range of tools and powers to respond
quickly to anti-social behaviour (ASB) and ensure victims
have a say in the way that complaints are dealt with.
A key part of this is the Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review
(also known as the Community Trigger), which gives victims
of persistent anti-social behaviour the ability to demand a
formal case review where the local threshold is met - an
important safety net in ensuring that victims are fully
supported.
The strengthened guidance builds on previous updates to
make sure there is a greater focus on the impact of
anti-social behaviour on victims. It provides greater
clarity on the process of the Anti-Social Behaviour Case
Review, highlighting that relevant bodies should always
consider inviting the victim or, if more appropriate, their
representative to case review meetings to help the panel
understand their perspective. It also explains that local
areas can have independent chairs at review meetings to
provide an external view on the case.
These requirements align with recommendations from the 2019
Victims Commissioner report.
Safeguarding Minister, said:
Victims must be front and centre of the approach police
and local agencies take when tackling anti-social
behaviour.
We know that powers are already being used to good effect
and this guidance provides even greater clarity for local
agencies.
We are determined to create safe and peaceful communities
where people can thrive and perpetrators of anti-social
behaviour are robustly dealt with.
The updated guidance also highlights existing requirements
on local agencies including that:
- local areas must carry out a review of the response to
anti-social behaviour complaints if an application is made
and the locally defined threshold for a review is met
- they must respond to the victim at particular
milestones in the process, including with the outcome of
the review
- they must publish specified information at least every
12 months about the Community Trigger, including the number
of reviews that have been carried out
- they must publish details of the Community Trigger
procedure in their area to ensure that victims are aware
that they can apply in appropriate circumstances
In addition to the guidance for local agencies, there is
further information available on the Community Trigger
webpage on GOV.UK.
These resources are part of a wider government commitment
to ensuring ASB is dealt with effectively.
The Home Office works with partners through the ASB
Strategic Board, which brings together the National
Policing Lead, the Local Government Association, the
Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, other
Government departments and community sector organisations
to ensure that the relevant powers are being used robustly,
and to learn from examples of good practice.
We have also provided over £12 million funding in 20/21 for
the continued development of the Single Online Home – a web
platform which enables members of the public to report
crimes online 24/7. As it is rolled out, the Single Online
Home is making it easier for the public to report a wide
range of crimes, including ASB.
Our £45 million Safer Streets Fund is supporting areas that
are disproportionately affected by crimes such as burglary
and many of these schemes will also help in tackling
anti-social behaviour through crime prevention measures
like improved street lighting and CCTV. This includes £20
million announced yesterday (28 January) to tackle these
crimes and ensure the police have the powers, tools and
resources they need to cut crime and make people feel safer
in their community.
All this work is in addition to our commitment to recruit
20,000 additional police officers to provide law
enforcement with the resources they need to keep our
streets and communities safe.
‘Anti-social behaviour’ is a broad term which includes
behaviour which has caused or is likely to cause
harassment, alarm or distress to a member or members of the
public.
