Behaviour (anti-social)

It is possible that this type of behaviour may constitute harassment ,see the related questions in Related Information. However, it would probably be best if you first made contact with your local neighbourhood policing team who may be aware of other incidents and know the identity of the youths involved (if you don't). Police Community Support Officers are a valuable source of information.

The officers may be able to consider applying for civil injunctions or Criminal Behaviour Orders if the same youths are persistently causing a community problem with these types of nuisance activities.

These types of problems may not be solved straight away though, a lot of enquiries, research and observations may be required by both officers and members of the community in order to combat this anti-social behaviour.

It may be a good idea to keep a log of the incidents including the date, time and details of the incidents that have taken place, which may assist officers and local authority staff when investigating these matters.

No, by agreeing to have a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) and paying the fine you will not receive a criminal conviction. Accepting and paying the fine is not an admission of guilt but discharges the possibility of the creation of a criminal record.

The fact that you have been given a PND will be recorded on the Police National Computer, but it will not create a criminal record. The information is recorded for administrative purposes and to establish if a person has had more than one PND.

If a criminal records check is carried out it does not automatically mean that the PND would be disclosed. However, it could be referred to if the behaviour that led to the PND was linked with the reason for the check.

It is important for the police to obtain as much information as possible with regards to the details of the car/bike and also the driver/rider and passengers. You do not have to disclose your details to the police when making a report.

It is best to contact the police as soon as the cars/bikes arrive so that the police have a better chance of apprehending those responsible. You can report nuisance motor vehicles to your local police force via their 101 non-emergency number.

If possible, in the first instance, we would suggest that efforts are made to speak with the children/parents of the children involved as it may be that they do not realise what is happening or that their actions are illegal. If this is not possible, then this behaviour can be reported to the police because it is an offence for anyone to throw, cast, fire or set fire to a firework in the highway, street, thoroughfare, or public place unless it is as part of an organised event by licensed professionals.

Additionally, it is an offence for a person under 18 to possess what is known as an adult firework; these are fireworks that fall into categories F2, F3 or F4.

Category F2 fireworks are fireworks which present a low hazard and low noise level and which are intended for outdoor use in confined areas.

Category F3 fireworks are fireworks which present a medium hazard, which are intended for outdoor use in large open areas and whose noise level is not harmful to human health.

Category F4 fireworks are fireworks which present a high hazard, which are intended for use only by persons with a specialist knowledge and whose noise level is not harmful to human health.

A 'car cruise' is a gathering of large numbers of car enthusiasts who meet at car parks to show off their customised vehicles. A minority of these perform dangerous stunts and this coupled with the sheer number of people gives rise to causing fear to the public.

Whilst cruising in itself is not illegal, many of the cars involved do commit offences whilst taking part in the cruise, such as speeding, dangerous/careless driving and criminal damage.

Some police forces are now treating the meetings as Anti-Social Behaviour and are asking people to leave. Anyone who refuses to leave an area when asked to do so by a Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer, faces arrest.

The police would urge people not to take part and if they do to drive carefully and be mindful of the possible nuisance such events can bring to neighbourhoods.

You should contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team via 101 and provide them with as much detail as possible. For example, if known, who the youths are and where they're from, descriptions of the youths, vehicles and times when they tend to ride.

Community Support Officers are a valuable source of information and the team may be aware of other incidents or the identity of the youths involved.

The police have a number of powers to deal with the use of such vehicles, these include the seizure of the vehicle under section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Power to seize vehicles driven without a licence or insurance) or section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (seizure of vehicles used in manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance).

You should contact your local police force via 101 and provide them with as much information as possible. For example, the names of any youths involved, a description or the registration numbers of the vehicles. The earlier you contact the police regarding the incident the more chance the police will have of catching the individuals.

The police have a number of powers to deal with the use of such vehicles these include the seizure of the vehicle under section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Power to seize vehicles driven without licence or insurance) or section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (seizure of vehicles used in manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance).

The cars used also often have no insurance, tax or MOT. If you are aware of where these cars are being left then contact the police so they can be towed away. You can report nuisance motor vehicles to your local police force via their 101 non-emergency number.

Aside from the legal issues it is not safe for children to play on roads. This can also cause a nuisance for lots of people in the area who are wary of driving down the street for fear of knocking over a child or getting their cars damaged.

Putting aside possible traffic or public order issues, it is an offence to play ball games on a public road if it is to the annoyance of road users. It is likely that ball games played on a public road will be to the immediate annoyance of road users.

It is also a breach of by-laws to play ball games to the annoyance of residents. By-laws are created by the local councils and may not apply to every street, there could be some designated as 'play streets' (and similar), where games are allowed, and the by-law may not exist at all in some towns.
If this is a problem in your street, then contact your local neighbourhood policing team who will be able to offer advice and assistance.

The police have a number of powers to deal with such problems, one of the powers is to seize a vehicle causing alarm, distress or annoyance. The car must be being used in such a way that it commits the offence of driving without due care or driving on footpath, moorland, bridleway etc and that the vehicle is being used anti-socially i.e. it is causing alarm, distress or annoyance. There are other requirements that the police have to carry out before a car can be seized.

It is also an offence to use, cause or permit a motor vehicle to cause excessive noise which could have been avoided by the driver exercising reasonable care. You can report nuisance motor vehicles to your local police force via their 101 non-emergency number or online reporting form. You can also submit dashcam footage to some police forces. Please see Q942 for information.

From a practical point of view, a police officer will usually need to be present to witness the behaviour. It is advisable to contact your local police station as soon as the vehicles start to cause a nuisance.

In many cases the drivers of the vehicles may be committing offences such a careless or dangerous driving. There may also be offences in relation to the use of the vehicle and its condition.

Playing ball games despite a no ball games sign could be a breach of a local by-law. You would need to contact your local police via their 101 number, please be aware that unfortunately it may not be a high priority matter for the police. You could also try the local council.

See the website in related information to find your local authority.

A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) focuses on more serious offenders, who engage in criminal activity as well as anti-social behaviour. It can only be issued in conjunction with a sentence that is already imposed or if the individual has a conditional discharge.

The order will either prohibit the offender from doing anything, or require them to do anything, as described in the order e.g., attendance at a course to reduce the behaviour. Before imposing an order, the court must be satisfied that the offender has engaged in such behaviour that caused, or was likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person and that making the order will help in preventing the offender from engaging in such behaviour.

An example of when a CBO may be issued would be where an individual has committed a drug-related offence and as part of the order, must attend a course educating offenders on the effects of substance abuse.

The order will begin from the day it is issued and, for those under 18 years old it will last between 1 and 2 years, being reviewed every 12 months from the day it was made. For adults over 18 the order will last a minimum of 2 years and can last indefinitely. Failure to comply is a criminal offence and as such can result in imprisonment and/or a fine.

For further information, we would advise that you contact your local policing team. You can do this by visiting your local force's website, alternatively, you can use the non-emergency 101 number.

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) propose to deal with a particular nuisance in a particular area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. It can prohibit certain things or require specific things to be done.

An example of when a PSPO may be issued could be to help keep dogs under control within a public place such as a park. It may require that the dog is kept on a lead at all times and/or the dog is only allowed in certain areas. Alternatively, it may prohibit the consumption of alcohol in a specific place.

When deciding whether an order should be issued, the local authority must consider two things:

Firstly, whether the behaviour is having a detrimental effect, or is likely to have this effect. Secondly, whether the effect/likely effect of the activities is of a persistent nature making the behaviour unreasonable and rendering restrictions imposed by the notice as justified.

It can be made to apply to all people, or limited only to certain people and can be restricted to specific times. A PSPO can last no longer than 3 years but can be renewed if necessary. Failure to comply with the order can result in a fine or a fixed penalty notice.

For more information, please see the link in the Related Information section. To apply for a PSPO or to enquire further, you will need to contact your local policing team. You can do this via the non-emergency 101 number or alternatively by visiting your local force's website.

Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions (ASBI) are civil injunctions and do not give the individual a criminal record. ASBIs have been introduced as one of the replacements for the ASBO; it can tackle a diverse range of anti-social behaviour problems.

Not only can it prohibit behaviour, but it can also require the individual to take positive action in dealing with the underlying cause of said behaviour. If positive action is required, the authority must feel this is necessary and appoint an individual/organisation to ensure compliance with this.

An injunction can be given to anyone aged 10 years or over if two conditions are met. Firstly, the court must be satisfied that the individual has engaged/threatens to engage in anti-social behaviour. Secondly, it must be considered convenient and just in order to prevent the behaviour.

Breaching an ASBI is punishable as contempt of court, and for an adult, it can lead to imprisonment and/or a fine. For those under 18 years the penalty could either be a supervision order or a detention order being made.

For further information or if you wish to apply for an ASBI you will need to contact your local policing team. You can do this by visiting your local force's website (linked in the Related Information) or via the non-emergency 101 number.

A dispersal order is used in a wide range of situations in order to offer immediate relief to the community. These powers enable officers and PCSOs to direct a person who has engaged/likely to engage in anti-social behaviour, to leave a specified area and not to return for a period of 48 hours. The 'specified area' cannot include the place where they live/work.

The officer must believe that the behaviour is contributing/likely to contribute to anti-social behaviour and/or crime in the area and as such using the powers would be necessary to reduce crime levels. It may include confiscation of items (e.g. alcohol) and is available to anyone that appears over 10 years of age.

An example of when dispersal powers may be used would be if an individual was consuming alcohol in a town centre and as a result was being verbally abusive to members of the public. Failure to comply is a criminal offence and can result in imprisonment and/or a fine.

For further information on these powers, we would advise that you contact your local policing team. You can do this via the non-emergency 101 number or alternatively by visiting your local force's website.