What is antisocial behaviour?

Antisocial behaviour (ASB) is defined as 'behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person' (Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014).

ASB can cause a nuisance without being a crime, such as loitering or noise nuisance.

Safe and Sound, Dudley's Community Safety Partnership, is committed to cracking down on ASB to keep our communities safe and ensure residents and visitors to the borough are free from harm, threat or distress.

Regardless of the issue it is important to report it to the correct agency. Find out where to report below.

There are three main categories for antisocial behaviour:

• Personal antisocial behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group.

• Nuisance antisocial behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.

• Environmental antisocial behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.

Antisocial behaviour falls into one of these 13 categories:

1. Vehicle abandoned

2. Vehicle nuisance or inappropriate use

3. Rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour

4. Rowdy or nuisance neighbours

5. Littering or drugs paraphernalia

6. Animal problems

7. Trespassing

8. Nuisance calls

9. Street drinking

10. Activity relating to sex workers or sex working

11. Nuisance noise

12. Begging

13. Misuse of fireworks

What to report to the council:

• a noise nuisance – including loud music or dogs barking

• abandoned vehicles

• fly-tipping or dumping waste

• dog mess in public areas - such as parks, playgrounds or pavements

• discarded needles, syringes and other drug-related items

• vandalism in your area - for example damage to bus shelters or bins

• graffiti in in your area

• fly-posting - putting up posters or stickers about events without permission

​If you are concerned about any of the above forms of anti-social behaviour, call Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345 or visit https://www.dudleysafeandsound.org/asb.

What to report to the police:

Report antisocial behaviour to the police if you feel threatened, are in immediate danger or you think the behaviour could be breaking the law.

For example, if it includes:

• threatening, offensive or indecent behaviour 

• a dog behaving aggressively 

• vehicle theft

• illegal drugs or drug dealing

• vandalism of your home or other private property  

• speeding or dangerous driving 

If you are concerned about any of these forms of anti-social behaviour, call West Midlands Police on 101 or use Live Chat on https://www.westmidlands.police.uk.

Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if a crime is in progress.