Antisocial behaviour

"All residents have a right to live peacefully in safe and secure communities."

The Antisocial Behaviour Investigation Team's aim is to help make sure that all citizens can live peacefully in safe and secure communities. We will rigorously investigate antisocial behaviour complaints and always give residents affected by antisocial behaviour help and support to make them feel safer.

Our services

Our services are available between 9am - 4am each day. We provide:

A call-out service responding to antisocial behaviour complaints.
General advice and support to residents affected by antisocial social behaviour.
Proactive investigation of antisocial behaviour complaints.
Support for homeowners, private sector landlords and other agencies to deal with antisocial behaviour quickly and effectively.

We will gather evidence of antisocial behaviour and ensure that appropriate action is taken quickly so that antisocial behaviour stops. We work with a wide range of services and communities to help ensure that effective solutions are delivered.

Our enforcement powers

Most complaints can be dealt with effectively without the need to use enforcement measures. Discussion and mediation can be very effective to stopping antisocial behaviour complaints. However, we have enforcement options available to us which will use when these are required.

We can issue 'on the spot' warnings and fixed penalty notices to deal with noise nuisance from domestic homes. When neighbours are causing unreasonable noise we can issue a formal warning notice. If this warning is ignored and we have established that a noise nuisance exists, a fixed penalty notice for £100 may be served. In some cases, we can seize the noise making equipment.

We can also make applications for Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). ASBOs are preventative orders intended to protect people in the community affected by antisocial behaviour from further acts or conduct that would cause them alarm or distress. An ASBO is a court order which prohibits, either indefinitely or for a specified period, a person from doing anything described in the order. Breach of an order is a criminal offence which can result in a fine and imprisonment.

We need to know to be able to help

There is no point in suffering in silence. We can only tackle antisocial behaviour if you tell us about it and how it is affecting your quality of life. We are committed to tackling antisocial behaviour and need to know when and where it is happening so that they can target those causing the problems, the area in which it is happening and introduce suitable and effective solutions. You can report antisocial behaviour in a number of ways, from contacting your local housing office, calling the police, or if you wish to remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers. Any information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Contact details

Antisocial Behaviour Investigation Team
Aberdeen City Council
Marischal College
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB

0800 0510434

ASBIT@aberdeencity.gov.uk

What is antisocial behaviour?

Antisocial behaviour is acting in a manner that causes or is likely to cause alarm or distress. Noisy neighbours, litter and graffiti and disorder are examples of antisocial behaviour.

What are my rights?

Antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated and residents have a right to live peacefully in safe and secure communities.

What are your responsibilities?

Citizens have a responsibility to treat neighbours and others in the wider community with respect. We all have a responsibility to report antisocial behaviour so that it can be stopped and respite offered to victims.

Who can help?

If you rent your home you should report problems with neighbours to your landlord. Council tenants should contact their local housing office. Your landlord will be able to advise you on the steps that can be taken to stop the problem. If you own your own home or want general advice you can contact the Council's Antisocial Behaviour Investigation Team (ASBIT) for assistance. Antisocial behaviour which is not related to housing or which you consider to be serious should be reported to Police Scotland.

What action will be taken?

Each case is considered individually. In most cases problems can be resolved through discussion, mediation or warnings. SACRO - Aberdeen Community Mediation Service operates an independent mediation service which resolves disputes and helps those involved reach an agreement which everyone can live with. You may contact the service directly or ask to be referred by the agency or landlord dealing with your complaint. When voluntary solutions are not effective or appropriate then enforcement action can be taken. The type of enforcement action depends on the circumstances. The law is on your side and the Scottish Parliament has introduced the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 to allow agencies to stand up to the minority whose behaviour causes serious nuisance in communities. Powers include:

Allowing the police to close premises that are the focus of constant antisocial behaviour.
Allowing the police to disperse groups of people who are causing significant persistent and serious antisocial behaviour.
Banning the sale of spray paint to under 16s.
Statutory power of arrest if an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) is breached.
Extending ASBOs to 12-15 year olds You can view the Scottish Government's Guide to the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 from their website.