Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

What happens when I complain about anti-social behaviour?

An interview will be conducted with the complainant to ascertain what is happening and how they are affected, and contact may be made with other people, including the alleged perpetrator, in order to establish the facts.

We can then take the following steps:

• Warn the alleged perpetrator

For complaints which include noise, such as loud music we will also involve the `Environmental Health Department` as they can take their own separate action against perpetrators.

• We may involve other agencies such as Social Services or the Police in criminal cases.
• If you agree we may refer you to UNITE - a free confidential mediation service for neighbours in conflict. They may be able to find a solution that you and your neighbours are happy with.
• There are many other services we can discuss which obviously depends on the nuisance being suffered.

If these options fail there are also the various legal options:

• Serve a Notice of Seeking Possession if appropriate. This is the first stage in legal proceedings to evict a tenant from their home.
• In serious cases take out court injunctions against the perpetrators which may include a "power of arrest".
• Working with the Police we can develop an Acceptable Behaviour Contract with the perpetrator.
• Apply for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order which places prohibitions on certain types of actions. Breach of such an Order can lead to a term of imprisonment