The Anti Social Behaviour Team
Tackling anti social behaviour is a major concern for many residents on our estates. It is recognised however, that crime and anti social behaviour are not just problems for the Housing Service. The Crime and Disorder Partnership was established during 1999 to develop a multi agency approach to tackling crime and disorder issues effectively.The majority of anti social behaviour incidents and complaints are dealt with at a local level through agency intervention such as South Yorkshire Police, the Housing Services Department, or Environmental Services. However, a minority of repeat offenders through their offending behaviour are creating a disproportionate and damaging impact on many neighbourhoods, particularly in deprived areas.
Doncaster Council's Anti Social Behaviour Team, under the umbrella of the Directorate of Neighbourhood Services, Housing Services Department was specifically developed as an Enforcement Team to strengthen existing services by taking enforcement action through the court process against the repeat offenders of anti social behaviour, nuisance and crime and disorder.
The Anti Social Behaviour Team is unique in that it tackles anti social behaviour, crime and disorder that occurs in any housing tenure, whereas traditional housing management only allows the Housing Services Department to tackle those disputes arising between council tenants by enforcing the conditions of the secure tenancy agreement.
The eleven strong team of officers became operational on 22 October 2001 and includes, a specialist Anti Social Behaviour Manager, a dedicated Solicitor, Anti Social Behaviour Advisors, two Seconded Police Officers from South Yorkshire Police, a Racial Harassment Co-ordinator and Administration Assistants. The team's dedicated solicitor provides on the spot legal advice to members of the team and has developed a fast track strategy to obtain Community Based Orders and Injunctions against repeat offenders in an attempt to curb their anti social behaviour activities.
In addition, the Anti Social Behaviour Team works closely with other agencies responsible for delivering aspects of the Community Safety Strategy by developing and implementing the necessary structures to ensure effective partnership working between such agencies by aiming to ensure that Doncaster is a safer place to live.
As the Anti Social Behaviour Team only deals with the more serious cases of anti social behaviour that cannot be dealt with through a local multi agency approach, the telephone contact numbers for the team are not publicised to the general public. Serious cases of anti social behaviour are referred to the teams Manager by an individual agency or through one of the six Safer Estates Forums which are then subject to the application of the Threshold Test. The Threshold Test is a mechanism specifically developed to determine the severity of the anti social behaviour being experienced. Once a case has been accepted, the aim of the team is to take the most quick and effective legal action with the aim to improve the quality of life for the residents of Doncaster.
The Anti Social Behaviour Team also provides a 24 hour, 365 day emergency call-out service for witnesses involved in cases, officers within the team act as professional witnesses, evidence gather by taking statements from potential witnesses, carry out directed covert surveillance and target hot spot areas where repeat nuisance and anti social behaviour are occurring.
Residents experiencing any form of anti social behaviour should report the incidents to their local Area Housing Office, a list of contact telephone numbers are shown listed here or incidents of a criminal nature to South Yorkshire Police Tel: (01142) 202020, whereby the matter can be investigated and the most appropriate course of action taken to resolve the problem at the lowest level possible.
Thanks to the Team for the information.
More information can be found on the St. Leger Homes website
