Anti-social behaviour guidance strengthened

The Government has published strengthened guidance for local agencies. It relates to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and provides police and local authorities with a range of powers to respond to anti-social behaviour, while ensuring that victims are able to comment on the way that complaints are dealt with.

An anti-social behaviour case review will be introduced, allowing victims of persistent anti-social behaviour to demand a formal case review where the local threshold is met.

The updated guidance also highlights existing requirements on local agencies, including that they must:

• carry out a review of the response to anti-social behaviour complaints if an application is made and the locally defined threshold for a review is met
• respond to the victim at particular milestones in the process, including with the outcome of the review
• publish specified information at least every 12 months about the Community Trigger, including the number of reviews that have been carried out
• publish details of the Community Trigger procedure in their area, to ensure that victims are aware that they can apply in appropriate circumstances