Antisocial Behaviour - who can help?

What is Antisocial Behaviour?

Antisocial Behaviour happens when people act in a way that causes alarm or distress to others - usually their neighbours! There are many kinds of antisocial behaviour - vandalism, playing loud music at all hours, noise nuisance from parties that get out of control or from houses where some people never seem to stop shouting or arguing. Often, it is not possible to enjoy the peace and quiet of your own home or even get a decent night's sleep.

Even more serious kinds of antisocial behaviour include bullying or violence towards neighbours, drug dealing and harassment, often discriminatory. At night, gangs of noisy youths blocking entrances to shops and to people's homes, shouting, swearing and fooling around can make the neighbourhood a frightening place to live or visit. The good news is that there are laws to stop antisocial behaviour.

Dundee City Council is committed to tackling antisocial behaviour and works in close partnership with Tayside Police, Dundee Community Mediation, Dundee Families Project and other support services. The Housing Department operates the Antisocial Behaviour Team to provide advice and assistance to tenants of Council and Housing Association properties, private tenants and owner occupiers.

The main emphasis of the Team's work is to prevent antisocial behaviour happening. They do this by encouraging neighbours to discuss problems amicably through mediation and by directing families with problem behaviour to agencies who can help them change.

When preventative measures prove unsuccessful, the Team will take appropriate action against offenders. This may involve issuing warnings, applying for an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) or even working with Tayside Police to obtain a Closure Order on a property to protect the community.

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