Anti-Social Behaviour
It is Swans aim to promote a safe and secure environment for people to live in. We want to do everything we can to prevent anti-social behaviour before it starts. We will do this by enforcing tenancy conditions and using preventative methods where appropriate.
Where necessary, we will deal effectively with non-tenants who directly or indirectly affect our estate management function. We will work 'together' with our to create safer neighbourhoods.
What is Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)?
Anti-social behaviour is any behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to other people living in your neighbourhood. ASB can cover a wide range of behaviour from minor neighbour disputes arising from differences in lifestyles, to serious criminal behaviour.
It is difficult to come up with a complete definition if what ASB is. However, some examples of ASB may include:
- Vandalism
- Threatening or swearing at neighbours
- Criminal activity
- Assault or physical violence
- Noise
- Dumping of rubbish
Anyone can be a victim of anti-social behaviour or suffer the effects of it, regardless or whether they are a Swan tenant, homeowner, or renting from a private landlord.
Please report all anti-social behaviour to your Neighbourhood Officer on 0303 300 2500.
Listed below are some useful contact numbers if you should witness or be the victim of ASB.
In an Emergency dial 999
Metropolitan Police 0300 123 1212
Essex Police 0300 333 4444
Victim Support 0845 3030900
National Domestic Violence helpline 0800 2000 247
Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111
Swan’s Out of Hours ASB line 0800 075 6699
Below are links to some important ASB documentation:
Anti Social Behaviour - Frequently asked questions
Click here to download the Guidiance Notes on Approaching your neighbour
Crack House Closure Order Granted
Swan obtained a closure order for an initial period of 3 months on an address on the Exmouth Estate (London) due to ongoing and persistent asb issues. The order means that no-one can enter the property for three months, and during this time, it is a criminal offence for anyone to enter the address unless authorised by police. The order came about following months of planning and evidence gathering by Swan Housing staff and the Police. Swan Housing Management team have started proceedings to take possession of the property due to the serious breach of tenancy.
Over a period of time residents had been subjected to serious nuisance and disorder associated with drug activity which included large numbers of visitors coming and going from the property at various times of the day and night, shouting, screaming, drunken and disorderly behaviour, dumping of rubbish which sometimes involved bottles being thrown at neighbouring properties on the block.
The presiding Judge granted the order after reviewing submissions from both the Police and Swan Housing Association. This is a great result for the residents and the local community who have been long-suffering victims of significant and persistant antisocial behaviour and disorder at and around the address by the tenant and friends. .
The success of this case has only been possible due to excellent partnership working with the Police, Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) the Local Authority and Swan’s legal representatives. It has also demonstrated how Swan Housing is committed to working with residents and partners in an effective and efficient way and has resulted in dealing with a tenant who was allowing ASB and drug use to continue at the address.
By listening to residents’ concerns and working together, we can make our communities safer. Unacceptable behaviours in our communities can affect everyone's quality of life, especially those living within close proximity to where the anti social behaviour is taking place. Residents have been incredibly patient and supportive while we built up the evidence to get this order so we are delighted for them that their efforts and faith have been rewarded
Swan HA will continue to pursue and actively target anti-social behaviour to improve safety in the community and would ask anyone suspecting persistent disorder in their neighbourhood to contact us on 0300 303 2500 as soon as possible. Any information provided will be treated with strict confidence.