Methods of resolving complaints
Complaints of anti-social behaviour are resolved when those who cause nuisance to others change their behaviour. We recognise that there can be complex underlying reasons why people act in an anti-social way and believe in addressing these issues and giving people the chance to modify their behaviour.
The Community Safety Team and our partners, which include the Police, YOT (Youth Offending Team), Youth Services and Six Town Housing, are committed to providing support and help to people, especially young people, to enable them to behave in a responsible and considerate manner.
We have a range of preventative and interventional measures available to challenge unacceptable behaviour and bring about positive changes. These include:
- Mediation
An expert service that helps people in dispute with their neighbours. Typical problems that can be solved by mediation include noise, pets, children, parking, lifestyle differences or a boundary. Expert mediators listen to all points of view without taking sides and help people reach a solution. Currently available to council tenants, we are currently researching ways of making mediation available to private residents.
- YISP (Youth Inclusion and Support Panel)
YISPs are made up of representatives from the police, schools, health and social services and members of the community. When an individual or agency feels a young people is at risk of offending they can refer them to the panel. The panel recommends a programme of support for the young person and their family.
- ABC (Acceptable Behaviour Contract)
A voluntary agreement between an individual who has been behaving disruptively, the Local Authority and Police. Because ABCs are usually made with young people, their parent or guardian should also be involved. If the individual breaks the ABC, it can be used as evidence in applying for an ASBO. YOT will support the young person to help them keep the ABC. YOT have negotiated 10 ABCs with young people in Bury. Six of these are current and the other four have been completed successfully.
- Warning interview
These involve inviting an individual and their parents if applicable to a local police station with representatives from the Community Safety Team, YOT and any other concerned agencies to address their anti-social Behaviour and warn them of the consequences of continuing this behaviour.
- Actions under the tenancy agreement
These include interviewing and warning the perpetrator that they are breaking their Tenancy Agreement, Introductory and Demoted Tenancies. For more information see Six Town Housing web pages.
- Juvenile contact cards
These are used by Police Officers and PCSOs to log the name and address of a young person behaving in an anti-social way. They are incremental with second card resulting in a letter to the young person's parents and the third in a visit to their home.
- Parenting contract
This is an agreement negotiated between a parent/carer and a YOT worker where a young person is engaged in anti-social behaviour. The parent agrees to fulfil certain requirements and the YOT agrees to support the parent so that they can comply with requirements.
When dealing with anti-social behaviour the needs of the wider community will always be our primary concern. Therefore where people persist in causing nuisance in spite of these measures or in serious cases where there are threats or violence, we will take Enforcement Action against the perpetrator.
