2005-2008 Anti Social Behaviour Strategy

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The vast majorityof people in ourcommunities goabout their liveswithout causingconcern toothers. However,a small number of

people cause real misery to others bytheir behaviour. Anti social behaviourcan blight communities, make peoplefeel unsafe and can hold back theregeneration of the most deprivedareas. It is one of the biggestchallenges facing our society.

Effective solutions to the problem ofanti social behaviour are not theresponsibility of a single agency ororganisation. The overall aim of thisstrategy and action plan is to tackleanti social behaviour in thecommunity by a robust process ofprevention, intervention andenforcement. An essential feature ofthis strategy is the emphasis on jointworking and close co-operation witha range of agencies andorganisations.

As Chief Executive of Tameside MBCand Chair of the Tameside Crime andDisorder Reduction Partnership Iwelcome and endorse the approachesset out in this strategy and actionplan.

Janet CallenderChief ExecutiveTameside MBC

The blight of antisocial behaviouris one of thebiggest challengesfacing our societyand quite rightlyan issue, whichthe publicexpects to be

treated as a priority.

Every person should expect to beable to live and go about theirbusiness free from harassment,intimidation and the threat ofviolence. Sadly this expectation isnot always met resulting incommunities been de-stabilised andthe fear of crime in general beingmagnified.

All agencies need not only to placepriority on dealing with anti socialbehaviour but also formulate a jointstrategy to address it at all levels.

I am therefore pleased to say thatthe Tameside Crime and DisorderReduction Partnerships Strategy isjust such a plan which not onlyrecognises the importance ofsupporting communities but puts inplace a structured and multi layeredplan to deal with both the causes andsymptoms of anti social behaviour.

This strategy should be integral to allour work as a Crime and DisorderReduction Partnership and as such Iwelcome it and pledge the wholehearted support of GreaterManchester Police in ensuring thatthe initiatives therein succeed inmaking Tameside a safer Borough tolive and work in.

Chief Superintendent Kevin MulliganDivisional Commander TamesidePolice

F O R E W O R D

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I N T R O D U C T I O NThis strategy and action plan sets out the Tameside Crime and Disorder

Reduction Partnership’s response to the issue of nuisance and anti social

behaviour and builds on the work of the Partnership to date.It is aimed at

ensuring a peaceful and clean environment for residents and businesses of,

and visitors to Tameside.

F O R E W O R D Everyone has the right to live in peace, without harassment or

intimidation or fear of crime.

Anti-social behaviour includes a variety of behaviour covering a whole

complex of selfish and unacceptable activity that can blight the

quality of community life.

Recent crime surveys have shown that reducing anti social behaviour

is a key priority for all. This is also a key priority for Tameside

Council and the Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

This strategy and action plan focuses on all agencies taking action, from prevention to

enforcement, to protect and strengthen our communities from the corrosive effect of anti

social behaviour, intimidation and harassment caused by a minority of people.

As Cabinet Deputy with responsibility for crime and disorder reduction I wholeheartedly

support this strategy for tackling anti social behaviour in our communities.

Councillor Margaret Oldham

Cabinet Deputy - Crime & Disorder Reduction

S TAT E M E N T O F I N T E N TTameside Crime and Disorder Reduction partnership believes that all residents of Tameside

are entitled to live peaceably, without harassment or fear. It is the aim of this strategy to

reduce nuisance, anti social behaviour and disorder, giving all residents the right to quiet

enjoyment of their homes and to live peaceably within their communities. The strategy

encompasses the community as a whole and includes residential areas, commercial and

shopping areas, schools, public transport and recreational facilities throughout the borough.

O B J E C T I V E S O F T H E S T R AT E G YThe strategy seeks to:

1. Prevent or deter the incidence of anti social behaviour

2. Tackle the causes and deal with the consequences of anti social behaviour

3. Take appropriate action against the perpetrators of anti social behaviour

4. Support victims and witnesses of anti social behaviour

S T R AT E G I C A I M S

This strategy directly supports the Local Strategic Partnerships 2003-2006 Community

Strategy. Although this strategy has links with all 6 themes within the Community Strategy it

contributes in the main to 3 themes: Safe Environment, Attractive Borough and Supportive

Communities.

Reducing anti social behaviour is one of the 26 ‘key measures’ within the Community

Strategy, reflecting the fact that anti social behaviour directly contributes to increasing

peoples’ perceptions of safety, creating positive relationships between people from all

backgrounds, and helping to make Tameside a cleaner, greener place to live.

Reducing anti social behaviour is also highlighted as one of the Crime and Disorder Reduction

Partnerships’ key aims in its Partnership Agreement with the LSP Board. The measures that

support this aim include juvenile nuisance, youth offending, the number of incidents of asb

investigated and the number of young people undergoing interventions to address anti social

behaviour. Reducing anti social behaviour is also a key priority in the 2005-2008 Crime and

Disorder Reduction Strategy .In addition, Tameside Council has a cabinet deputy with specific

responsibilities for crime and disorder issues.

N AT I O N A L A I M S

Tackling and reducing anti social behaviour is a key priority for the Government. At a

national level the Government has provided new legal tools to help Local Authorities,

Housing providers and the Police to combat incidents of anti social behaviour. The

Governments’ Crime Reduction Strategy and Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy recognise that

a wide range of measures can be used to reduce levels of anti social behaviour in

communities. The Governments launch of “TOGETHER”, their national action plan for

tackling anti social behaviour and the new Anti Social Behaviour Act gives Tameside Crime

and Disorder Reduction Partnership a major opportunity and challenge to build on and

develop our provision for tackling and reducing anti social behaviour.

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T H E S I Z E O F T H E P R O B L E M

Anti social behaviour is a national problem. On the 10th September 2003 the Home Office

organised a ‘one day count’ of reports from over 1,500 agencies nationally. 66,107 reports of

anti social behaviour were made which equates to more than one report every 2 seconds.

Whilst this is a snapshot of the problem it is indicative of the large number of contacts

concerning the issue on a typical weekday.

There is no commonly agreed definition of what is meant by the terms ‘neighbour nuisance’

and ‘anti-social behaviour’. Whilst there may be a lack of a definition residents know when

they see or hear it. In practice, this is

taken to mean a wide range of behaviours, from the mildly irritating to the life threatening.

Activities that are criminal are defined by law. Defining other

behaviour as anti social is more difficult. Behaviour acceptable by some can be completely

unacceptable to others. Therefore, tolerance and awareness of other groups’ needs is an

important part of tackling anti social behaviour.

Examples of anti social behaviour include:

• noise nuisance

• conflicts, including harassment, domestic violence and racist incidents

• litter and rubbish dumping

• aggressive and threatening language and behaviour

• violence against people and property

• graffiti and vandalism

• using and selling drugs

W H Y I T M AT T E R S

Anti social behaviour can destroy lives and shatter communities. If left unchecked it can lead

to neighbourhood decline with people and businesses moving away. It can contribute to high

levels of fear of crime which can seriously damage quality of life.

Implementation of this strategy will achieve the following aims:

For Everyone

The strategy will directly or indirectly benefit everyone, enabling the community to work,

live and play together encouraging respect and support for each other.

For Now And The Future

By minimising the impact of anti social behaviour and vandalism on the environment, public

transport facilities and open spaces

For Prosperity

By addressing the problem of anti social behaviour as it affects local businesses, particularly

in neighbourhood shopping areas and town centres where it has a direct impact on the local

economy and on local job opportunities.

For Living

By enabling people to enjoy themselves, to lead full and safe lives and enjoy their homes,

without suffering the effects of anti social behaviour and living in fear of crime.

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W O R K I N G W I T H O T H E R A G E N C I E S

Tackling anti social behaviour is a challenge for all public authorities. In many ways it is a

‘new discipline’ - it cuts across housing, education, social services, transport and

environmental services, town centre management, the criminal justice system and policing.

It is recognised that effective solutions to anti social behaviour are not the responsibility of a

single agency or organisation. An essential feature of this strategy and action plan is the

emphasis on joint working, uniformity of approach, close co-operation and involvement with

a range of groups, including community groups, agencies and organisations. Key partners

include:

• Police • Environmental Health

• Youth Offending Team • Tameside Patrollers

• Probation • Fire Service

• Education • GMPTE

• Registered Social Landlords • Magistrates Court

• Victim and Witness Support • Youth Services

• District Assemblies

In many instances, in order to pursue one (or more) of the available options, joint working

will be an integral part of the approach taken. As well as providing evidence and additional

information, it is recognised that other agencies will often be able to play important roles in

helping to solve problems, particularly by the use of specialist skills and/or resources or

powers at their disposal.

However, where several agencies are closely involved or the problem is of a very serious

nature (either specific to an individual, or to a location) a multi agency approach involving

all those with an interest will be pursued. Examples of this multi agency approach are the

monthly Case Intervention Group and ad-hoc Problem Solving Task Force Groups.

TO G E T H E R

This strategy includes a range of options, which may be pursued either individually or in

combination, in order to achieve the desired outcome. The measures employed by the

Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to resolve problems of anti social

behaviour are detailed below. It is important to appreciate that these may be used in a

variety of ways, either singly or collectively, rather than representing a step by step guide or

an incremental approach. It is essential that each case is dealt with on an individual basis,

so that the most appropriate remedy is employed having regard to the specific circumstances

or seriousness of the case, rather than adopting a blanket approach.

Through a multi agency approach of prevention, intervention and enforcement we will tackle

anti social behaviour in Tameside!

P R E V E N T I O N

Preventative measures are essential in tackling anti social behaviour and its root causes and

can often obviate the need for any further action.

Prevention measures include:

• CCTV

Tameside now has a fully digital state of the art surveillance system in place with over 60

cameras operating throughout the Borough. The system is complemented by an effective

facial recognition system for targeting offenders.

• Youth Service

Thousands of children and young people make use of the facilities provided by the Youth

Service. Initiatives such as the PODs, which are mobile youth centres are instrumental in

engaging young people and diverting them from nuisance and anti social behaviour. Youth

projects in areas of Haughton Green and Droylsden , funded by the Partnership, involves

detached work with young people that don’t ordinarily access mainstream youth

provision.

In addition, youth services are involved with the Positive Activities for Young People

(PAYP) scheme. This aims to target hard to reach and vulnerable young people. The

scheme provides activities during school holidays and for these young people who are

most at risk, a key worker can be assigned for one-to-one work.

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• Alleygating

Gating of alleyways has been a major success in the borough in terms of environmental

improvement, and a decrease of youth nuisance and burglary in gated blocks. A

survey,carried out in 2003, revealed that 94% of residents said that gates made them feel

safer. To date, over 2,000 households in Tameside have benefited from the scheme.

• Truancy Sweeps

These are carried out by Education Welfare and the Police on a rolling programme with a

minimum of 10 sweeps a year throughout the borough. The sweeps are instrumental in

addressing school attendance issues with parents and identifying vulnerable young people.

• Respect Programme

This is a police led Partnership initiative aimed at primary schoolchildren which

addresses, through a variety of interventions, health, behaviour, accountability and

community awareness. Following an allocation of funding by the Partnership the

Programme will now target all young people through local schools and youth and

community centres.

• Increased street lighting and environmental improvements

Dark areas and street corners can be a haven for crime and disorder. The Council’s

Engineering Section will, subject to feasibility constraints, improve street lighting where

it is identified that this will reduce nuisance and/or anti social behaviour. Anti social

behaviour can also be effectively tackled and reduced by the effective management and

operation of parks and open spaces.

• Patrols of police/Patrollers

The presence of uniformed officers on the streets can significantly increase public

confidence and reduce fear of crime as well as having an impact on crime and disorder

itself.

• Test Purchasing Initiatives

These are being carried out across the borough on a rolling Programme and can result in

Court action being taken against Shop owners and their assistants.

I N T E RV E N T I O N

Measures need to be in place for a significant number of people who are more at risk of

being involved in anti social behaviour and such measures can have a significant impact in

reducing the personal cost to individuals and the effect on the community.

Intervention measures include:

• Mediation

Some disputes can be dealt with through involvement of the parties concerned facilitated

by an independent mediator rather than as a result of formal action. The Partnership has

formally supported the formation of Tameside Mediates, a free and impartial community

mediation service.

• Acceptable Behaviour Contracts

These are voluntary agreements between young people and the Council, Police and

sometimes the housing provider whereby the young person agrees not to behave in a

certain way. Sometimes the parents of the young person also sign the contract and agree

to support their child in keeping out of trouble. The Partnership actively promotes the use

of ABCs , a number of which are in operation.

• Youth Inclusion Programme

This is a Government backed initiative which is run locally by the YOT and Groundwork

and specifically targets disaffected and challenging young people and engages them in a

whole range of activities with the aim of challenging and diverting their behaviour. It has

recently been run in Dukinfield and has been a major success. There is another junior

Youth Inclusion Programme led by the Youth Service to work in the Holy Trinity area of

Ashton aimed at 9-12 year olds, due to commence August 2004 for a 2 year period

• Work of the Youth Offending Team

The YOT offers a robust final warning scheme for young people at risk of offending and

provides intervention for 100% of young people which involves sessions tailored towards

their individual needs e.g drugs and alcohol misuse.

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• Dispersal of Groups

This new power came into force in February 2004 and Tameside police were the first in

the country to use it. With consultation and agreement with the Local Authority an area

can be designated for the dispersal of groups of 2 or more individuals who are causing

harassment, alarm or distress. This power is particularly useful in those geographical

nuisance hot spot areas.

• Warning interviews

These involve inviting an individual (and parents where necessary) to their local police

station with representatives from the ASB team and/or RSL to address their anti social

behaviour and issue a warning regarding future conduct. So far, 60 of these have been

carried out with a success rate of over 60%

E N F O R C E M E N T

Enforcement has to be seen to be a real and effective option. It may only be necessary in

relation to a minority of people but taking timely, appropriate and effective action can stop

anti social behaviour, act as a deterrent to others and empower the community generally,

especially victims and witnesses involved to take a stand.

Enforcement measures include:

• Fixed Penalty Notices

FPNs are available for a variety of offences such as litter, dog fouling, truancy, disorder

and graffiti and are an alternative to a Court prosecution.

• Prosecutions for school non-attendance

Where a child or young person repeatedly misses school and where intervention measures

have tried and failed the Education Welfare Service may issue Court proceedings against

their parent(s). This may result in a fine or a term of imprisonment and is designed to

address the young persons schooling.

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• Anti Social Behaviour Orders

These are Court imposed orders akin to injunctions and are designed to protect he

community from acts of anti social behaviour. They are available against anyone over the

age of 10 and last for a minimum of 2 years. The terms of the order can prohibit a person

from specific acts and from entering certain geographical areas. Breach of an order is a

criminal offence.

• Noise Act prosecutions

When a noise level, such as dogs barking or loud music reaches a certain level where it is

deemed to be a statutory nuisance, the Pollution Control section can serve an Abatement

Notice on the persons responsible. If this Notice is breached then Court proceedings can

be issued. The Pollution Control section also has the power to seize noise making

equipment.

• Possession/Injunctions Housing Act

These remedies are available in enforcing tenancy conditions and are vital tools for

Landlords tackling nuisance and anti social behaviour, not just by their tenants but family

and visitors to the properties.

• Prosecution of Licensed Premises

Trading Standards have power to prosecute licensees and sellers of age restricted

products such as fireworks, alcohol and cigarettes.

The attached action plan builds on the work that is already being done to combat the

problem of anti social behaviour and includes new powers introduced by the Anti Social

Behaviour Act 2003.

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P O L I C I E S A N D P R O C E D U R E S

Members of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership agree to regularly review their

own policies and procedures in order to:

• Assess what has and has not been effective

• Identify any gaps in service provision

• Include any new initiatives, good practice or legislation

R E V I E W O F S T R AT E G Y

This strategy will be reviewed at one yearly intervals, or in the light of significant changes in

legislation or best practice, whichever occurs first.

The review process will include consultation with partner agencies and community groups.

P U B L I C I T Y

It is intended that this strategy will be publicised via:

• press release

• article in The Citizen

• the Council’s website

• provision of copies to partner agencies, community groups, Citizens Advice Bureaus,

Victim Support , libraries and District Assemblies.

• The Tameside Local Strategic Partnership

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E N V I R O N M E N TOBJECTIVE KEY ACTION BY WHO WHEN OUTCOME

1. To target premises Ensure that the 4 TMBC – March 05 1causing disorder objectives of the Act: Environmentaland public nuisance Healthwithin the Prevention of crime (Licensing)Licensing Act 2003 and disorder

Public safety

Prevention of public nuisance

Protection of children from harm are applied consistently and effectively throughout the borough

2. Licensed premises Ensure that effective TMBC – March 05 1,3to be closed for and practical Environmental24 hours in cases procedures are in Healthof excessive noise place and all ownerspollution of licensed premises

are aware of the new powers

3. Take action against Continued use of TMBC – ongoing 1,3perpetrators of legislative powers. Environmental noise nuisance and Healthseize equipment Ensure maximum (Pollution where necessary publicity of successful Control)

prosecutions

4. To deter licensees Continued use of TMBC – ongoing 1,2from selling alcohol test purchasing Trading to young people and surveillance. Standardsand adults buying alcohol for young Ensure maximum Policepeople publicity of

successful prosecutions

5. Prohibit sale of Assess new powers TMBC – Jan 05 1aerosol paints to Develop policy/ Tradingunder 18s procedures for Standards

officers

Work with shops, youth service and schools to inform them of new powers

Arrange test purchases

Publicise successful prosecutions

6. Maximise use of Develop a FPN strategy TMBC – Apr 2005 3Fixed Penalty Notices involving officers from Environmental(FPNs) all appropriate agencies Health,

to issue FPNs for litter, Patrollers,truancy, graffiti, fly- Educationposting, noise nuisance dog fouling and Policedisorderly behaviour

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E D U C AT I O N A N D PA R E N TA L A C C O U N TA B I L I T YOBJECTIVE KEY ACTION BY WHO WHEN OUTCOME

7. Ensure that all Work with schools to TMBC – Ongoing 1,2schools maximise achieve the visions Educationtheir contribution and principles of the to reducing anti Tameside Behavioursocial behaviour

Support plan Work with schools to ensure effective systems in place to monitor pupils and improve attendance.

Access funding for electronic registration when possible.

Gain LEAs endorsement of GMPTEs ‘Right to Passage’ project and encourage schools to use it

Continue visiting primary Tamesideand secondary schools Patrollerswith programme aimed at addressing environmental anti social behaviour

8. Increase the number Put in place strategies TMBC - ongoing 1of young people to follow up pupil Educationattending school absence in schools –regularly register checks, targeted

blitzs, run parenting groups, fast track prosecutions, truancy sweeps, cross border prosecutions where pupils live in a neighbouring authority but attend Tameside school.

9. Ensure schools, LEAs Assess new powers TMBC – April 05 1,2,3and Youth Offending Develop policies and Education,Team use their procedures for parenting YOTpowers to enter into contracts, parentingparenting contracts orders and FPNs forand apply for truancy and incorporateparenting orders and into existing strategiesissue FPNs for truancy

Link the parenting process with ABCs and pre ASBO warning interview

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H O U S I N GOBJECTIVE KEY ACTION BY WHO WHEN OUTCOME

10. Increase tenants Publish policy and RSLs – Dec 2004 1awareness of RSLs procedure for dealing New Charter,procedures for with anti social Ashton Pioneerdealing with behaviour in line Homes andanti social with the ASB Act West Penninebehaviour and others

Chair – RSL Forum

11. To develop consistent To hold regular quarterly TMBC – ongoing 1and participative meetings of the Housing Strategyworking arrangements Landlord’s Forumwith private landlords concurrent with theoperating in Tameside Landlord’s Magazine.

Establish a Landlord’s Consultation Group.

12. Improved response in Implement policies RSLs ongoing 1,2,3dealing with housing and procedures andand tenancy related use powers available:-anti social behaviour

Introductory tenancies

Demotion of tenancy rights

Possession

Injunctions

ASBOs

Disseminate information RSLson policies and procedures and new powers to Residents Associations

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G E N E R A LOBJECTIVE KEY ACTION BY WHO WHEN OUTCOME

13. Improve provision of Establish plan to TMBC – April 2005 1,2children and young strengthen detached Youth Servicespeople services to youth work and youth Groundworkbetter tackle anti projects for children andsocial behaviour young people who meet Police

in groups and don’t access mainstream Patrollersservices.

DA

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15. Target perpetrators Continued use of ASBOs TMBC – Ongoing 1,2,3of persistent anti and ABCs in line with Community social behaviour new legislative powers Safetythrough the joint referral process – RSLsCase Intervention Group and Early PoliceIntervention Group Patrollers

14. Reduce incidents ofyouth nuisance ingeographical hot spotareas thereby makingcommunities feelsafer and build onyoung peoples’awareness of theconsequences of theirbehaviour

Implement OperationThurso (dispersal powers)in area in line withagreedprocedure/protocols

GMPNeighbourhoodInspectors

Implement youth projectsand establish detachedyouth work team for areato complement andsupport other agencieswork

TamesidePatrollers

Carry out test purchasing/surveillance to deterlicensees from sellingalcohol to young peopleand ensure maximumpublicity for successfulprosecutions

Trading Standards

Refer details of youngpeople causing nuisanceto Youth Nuisance Officer,Community Safety Unitfor discussion at the EarlyIntervention Group/CaseIntervention Group

PoliceYouth ServicePatrollers

Monitor and evaluateaction plan via incidentsof youth nuisance in hotspot areas and across theborough on a monthlybasis

Police

Establish patrols ofTameside Patrollers inarea between 6pm -10pm

Tameside Patrollers

Ongoing

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G E N E R A L ( c o n t )OBJECTIVE KEY ACTION BY WHO WHEN OUTCOME16. To ensure that anti Each TMBC department TMBC – April 05 1

social behaviour is to nominate an ASB all departmentstaken fully into champion to act as pointaccount in of contact and eachdischarging S.17 department to deviseresponsibilities its own work plan for

addressing anti social behaviour

17. Develop and refine Update the ASB case TMBC – Aug 2004 1the work of the Case management system Community Intervention Group and facilitate groups Safetyand develop an Early Intervention Group

18. Increase public Develop referral TMBC – Dec 2004 4confidence in procedure with Tameside Communityreporting asb and Victim Supportsupport victims and Safety Unit TVSSwitnesses of asb ASB team/Patrollers to

receive specialist training Patrollersin dealing with victims/witnesses

Witness Service to support Ongoingwitnesses of asb and breaches of orders

Maximise use of Taking TMBC – CommunityA Stand Award Safety Unit

RSLs19. Prevent escalation of Continued use of TMBC – Ongoing 1,4

neighbour disputes Tameside Mediates scheme CommunitySafety

Expand Mediation Scheme July 04to train new mediators Police

Develop procedure for TVSSreferrals via Victim Support

20. Close premises used Assess new powers Police April 05 1,3for sale, manufacturing of Class A drugs where Develop a ‘rapid reaction’they are causing disorder protocol with TMBC

21. Reduce incidents Maximise use of GMP ongoing 1,2of nuisance in hot dispersal powers inspot areas consultation with TMBC

Provide diversionary work YOTfor young people not Groundworkaccessing mainstream Policeservices in geographical Youth Servicehot spot nuisance areas CSUon a short and medium DAterm basis with the aim of mainstreaming services

Produced by Design Print Services Tameside MBC. - 53125

If you are suffering from Anti Socialbehaviour you can report it to:

Greater Manchester Police0161 872 5050

Tameside Council0161 342 8355

New Charter Housing0161 331 2000or 0800 371830

Tameside Patrollers0161 342 3010

This document can be made available inlarge print or other languages on request