A1001 Procedure - Dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour

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Number: A 1001
Date Published: 15 December 2025
Version 25 – December 2025

1.0 Summary of Changes

Section 3.1 - Initial Reporting Anti-Social Behaviour to Essex Police – the process has changed. Risk assessment now at initial point of contact. Link to flow chart added
Section 3.2.1 - Definition of a repeat victim of ASB – Definition of repeat ASB victim has changed.
Section 3.2.2 - Risk Assessment Matrix – Risk assessment criteria has changed.
Section 3.2.3 - Key Check Points for ASB Risk Assessment – new section
Section 3.4 - Police Officer Attendance - updated
Section 3.5 - Crime Data Accuracy and Anti-Social Behaviour Incidents – new addition
Section 3.7 - Athena ASB Personal Non-Crime Investigations – review points added to procedure.
Section 3.8 - Identifying Crimes and linking to ASB – new addition, identifying crime and ASB
Section 3.10 - ASB Problem Solving Plans (also known as ASB Action Plans) – new addition to policy
Section 3.11 - ASB Governance – new addition to policy
Section 3.11.3 - Recording the Police use of ASB powers – new addition to policy
Section 4.0 - EIA updated
Section 5.0 - Risk Assessment updated
Section 9.0 - Owner and author details updated

2.0 What this Procedure is about

This procedure guides police officers and staff in understanding and addressing antisocial behaviour. It outlines our response and investigation methods.

Essex Police will focus on the following key areas:

Essex Police prioritise the response to Personal anti-social behaviour
Early identification of risk and appropriate risk assessments throughout the journey of the incident.
Accurate recording incidents of ASB, analysing ASB data and ASB Problem Solving Plans
Collaborating with partners to resolve anti-social behaviour issues.

Compliance with the procedure and any governing policy is mandatory. Failure to comply could:

Pose a risk of failing to understand and address ASB correctly;
Pose a risk of failure to identify risk and appropriate risk assessments throughout the journey of an incident;
Pose a risk of failure to accurately record incidents of ASB;
Compromise collaboration with partners to resolve ASB issues;
A potential reduction in / damage to public trust and confidence in Essex Police.

Non-compliance by any member of Essex Police may also lead to;

Potential additional action, for example line manager intervention / learning the lessons / local resolution or PSD referral depending on severity e.g. misconduct or gross misconduct.

2.1 Anti-Social Behaviour Definition (ASB)

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 (ASBCP 2014) provides a definition of ASB.

Section 2 provides that anti-social behaviour is defined as:

Conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person;
Conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person’s occupation of residential premises;

Conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person.

For the purposes of recording an incident, ASB can also be identified as incidents that meet the following criteria:

Engaging in or threatening to engage in conduct causing or likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to persons engaged in lawful activities.

Behaviour that unreasonably interferes with other people’s rights to the use and enjoyment of their home and community’.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) can cause significant harm amongst its victims. It can affect esteem, mental and physical wellbeing, and perceived safety in public and private. It undermines community cohesion and in the most severe cases, it can have tragic consequences.

The National Standards for Incident Recording (NSIR) defines ASB as falling into one of three general categories:

Personal;
Nuisance;
Environmental.

Personal
‘Personal’ is designed to identify ASB incidents that the caller, call-handler or anyone else perceives as either deliberately targeted at an individual or group or having an impact on an individual or group rather than the community at large.

It includes incidents that cause concern, stress, disquiet and/or irritation through to incidents which have a serious adverse impact on people’s quality of life. At one extreme of the spectrum it includes minor annoyance; at the other end it could result in risk of harm, deterioration of health and disruption of mental or emotional wellbeing, resulting in an inability to carry out normal day to day activities through fear and intimidation.

Nuisance
‘Nuisance’ captures those incidents where an act, condition, thing or person causes trouble, annoyance, inconvenience, offence or suffering to the local community in general rather than to individual victims. It includes incidents where behaviour goes beyond the conventional bounds of acceptability and interferes with public interests including health, safety and quality of life. Just as individuals will have differing expectations and levels of tolerance so will communities have different ideas about what goes beyond tolerable or acceptable behaviour.

Environmental
Environmental’ deals with the interface between people and places. It includes incidents where individuals and groups have an impact on their surroundings including natural, built and social environments. This category is about encouraging reasonable behaviour whilst managing and protecting the various environments so that people can enjoy their own private spaces as well as shared or public spaces. People’s physical settings and surroundings are known to impact positively or negatively on mood and sense of well-being and a perception that nobody cares about the quality of a particular environment can cause those effected by that environment to feel undervalued or ignored. Public spaces change over time as a result of physical effects caused, for example, by building but the environment can also change as a result of the people using or misusing that space.

Compliance with this procedure and any governing policy is mandatory.

3.0 Detail the Procedure

3.1 The Initial Report of Anti-Social Behaviour to Essex Police

It is crucial for officers and staff to identify ASB at the earliest point of contact, to ensure that;

The ASB event is appropriately recorded in line with the National Standards for Incident recording as documented in Procedure D 0503 – Command and Control of Incidents and the NSIR definition of an enquiry, there is no requirement for police to record full incident details where the matter is clearly and solely the responsibility of another agency, as that agency holds the duty to record and respond; however, if the report is first received by police, it must be risk assessed and fully documented to ensure appropriate referral and safeguard against the risks of incomplete signposting
The early identification of risk and the appropriate risk grading of the incident
The police response is appropriate in line with the threat, harm and risk

There are several options in which a member of the community can report ASB including:

999/101 call
Online via website/Single online Home.
Via letter or email.
Live chat
Reporting at a Police Station Front Office
Direct to an Officer.

Where the ASB incident is reported to Essex Police Conctrol Centre will;

Create a storm incident.
Identify the type of ASB (Personal, Nuisance or Environmental)
Complete an initial ASB risk assessment for all incidents of Personal ASB, which will be audited on the Storm incident.

Key indicators for the risk assessment will be repeat calls to Essex Police and any identified victim vulnerabilities.

Where an incident is reported directly to a Police Officer or Police Staff member, it will be the recipient's responsibility to ensure a storm incident is created.

See flow chart for guidance ASB Flow chart

3.2 Risk Level

ASB incidents will be risk assessed and graded as one of three risk levels;

Standard
Medium
High risk.

When considering the threat/harm and risk of an ASB incident, there are key factors influencing the grading of the risk.

Officers must consider:

The vulnerabilities of the victim
Is the victim intimidated or persistently targeted?
Are they a repeat victim?
The level of harm and seriousness of incident

Essex Police will complete a risk assessment for all incidents identified as Personal – ASB.

3.2.1 The definition of a Repeat Victim and Vulnerable Victim of ASB

Vulnerable victims
A vulnerable victim is described as:
A person who, due to the nature of the crime or incident or other circumstances is, on balance susceptible to immediate further attack or they are likely to be at risk of further crime or harm.

It will include: ‘Someone of significant impaired intelligence, social functioning or mental disorder or other specific identified vulnerability’.

Repeat Victims
When an individual reports 3 or more incidents which are identified as ASB in the last 12 months.

When there are recurring and connected incidents involving the same victim and the same offender, this would raise the risk levels and therefore the initial risk assessment will be Medium Risk.

3.2.2 Risk Assessment Matrix

Risk Level	Definition
Standard	There are insufficient grounds on the facts currently known to believe that this person is suffering or likely to suffer personal harm as a result of the anti-social behaviour.
Medium	There are grounds to believe that this person may suffer personal harm as a result of the anti-social behaviour. Protective measures may be necessary to reduce the risk.
High	There are substantial grounds for believing that the person is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant personal harm as a result of the anti-social behaviour. Protective measures are necessary to reduce the risk.

The meaning of “Personal harm” includes mental trauma, significant loss/damage to property as well as physical harm.

3.2.3 Key Check Points for ASB Risk Assessment

To ensure the effective and consistent management of the threat, harm and risk to a victim, throughout the journey of a Personal ASB incident (from the initial contact to the outcome of the incident), there will be key risk assessment review points documented in this policy.

Initial Contact
Attendance of Incident
Supervisor reviews
Outcome and finalisation of incident

3.3 Police Resource Allocation to an Anti-Social Behaviour incident.

Attendance at Anti-Social Behaviour incidents will comply with Procedure D 0503 – Command and Control of Incidents which is based on the National Decision-making model and THRIVE principles.

Essex Police mandate allocation and attendance to Personal ASB incidents that have been initially risk assessed as medium or high risk by Contact Management Command.

Where a police response is assessed as not required and the incident is assessed as being for the sole preserve of another agency, it is appropriate to provide advice and signpost the member of the public to relevant agency under the right care right person principles, and the storm incident must be endorsed detailing which agency the reporting person has been directed to.

Local Authorities have additional powers and responsibilities to that of police forces for responding to incidents of some ASB.  As well as their statutory obligations arising from the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, they continue to be social landlords and have a role as the environmental protection agency.  Those who contact the police for a response to ASB may not be aware that other agencies lead in the issues they are reporting.

The below are examples of what local authorities MAY deal with:

Type	Who deals	Would police need to attend
Loud Music/Loud TV	Local Authority	Police may attend if concerns are reported or if council need assistance due to violence at the location/address.
Loud Party	Local Authority	Police may attend if concerns are reported but police have no powers to deal with the music.  Unless it’s an Unlicensed Music Event.
Loud Music from Car Stereo	Local Authority/Police	Local authority can deal if its parked on street or private land.  Police may assist if a regular occurrence but should not deal with one off.
Mechanical Noise from plant equipment EG AC units/extractor fans/ generator	Local Authority	Police may attend if there is a risk to wider public if concerns of fire but would refer to another agency.
DIY Noise at unreasonable times	Local Authority	Police may attend if possible criminal activity highlighted.
Construction noise outside permitted hours	Local Authority.	No need for police to attend.
Constant dog barking or other noisy domestic animal i.e. chickens	Local Authority	Any welfare issues for the dog to be reported to RSPCA.  Police may attend to assist RSPCA to remove a dog if violence threatened.
Burglar Alarm/car alarm sounding continually	Local Authority/Police	Police may attend burglar alarm if installed in line with NPCC alarm policy to check on premises.  May respond to house alarms if possible criminal activity is identified and concerns.
Dust and odour from commercial premises	Local Authority	Police may attend depending on type of odour and if we are called for assistance from another agency.
Smoke from bonfires	Local Authority	Police may attend if concerns reported but would refer to another agency to attend.
Light nuisance	Local authority	No need for police to attend.
Street Performers	Local Authority	Police may attend if street performer is hostile or threatening towards to public.
Noise from Licence Premises	Local Authority can use Environmental Protection act 1990 but also Licencing act.	Police wouldn’t attend unless there are concerns around criminal offences.

PERSONAL ASB is likely to carry the highest risks and therefore the importance of correct assessment and ongoing investigation is a priority for attending officers and Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) to manage.  Essex Police will however work with partners to resolve anti-social behaviour that impacts on the community. 
Civil disputes over boundaries or private roads are not issues that police have powers to investigate and could lead to incorrect legal advice being given.  In such cases, informants may be advised to contact a solicitor, Citizen Advice Bureau or their local council offices. 

However, if the civil disputes involved allegations of crimes, such as criminal damage, then this should be recorded and investigated in line with this procedure

3.4 Police Officer Attendance

Where an incident has been identified as Personal ASB and has been initially risk assessed by CMC as medium or high risk:

An appropriate Police resource must attend the incident and complete the following actions;

1) Risk Assessment – Complete a secondary risk assessment at scene with the victim using the ATH-RISK (ASB risk assessment) form.

(When there are recurring and connected incidents involving the same victim and the same offender, this would raise the risk levels and therefore the risk assessment will be Medium Risk. )

2) Record - Where the incident is re-assessed by the attending resource as medium or high risk, create a non-crime Athena record and upload the risk assessment (ATH-RISK form) to the Athena record.

Where a crime has been identified, the police resource will follow the national crime recording standards and force crime recording policy. The attending unit will upload the ATH-RISK form to the Athena record.

3) Safeguarding - Will complete any immediate safeguarding actions (e.g., referral to other agency or immediate police tasks to reduce identified risks) and audit these on the storm incident.

4) Update – Update the Storm incident with a comprehensive rationale for the secondary risk assessment grading and full circumstances of the incident.

5) Explain – Prior to leaving the victim the Police resource must explain to the victim:

Victims Contract - Comply with any requirements set out within the Victims' Code.
ASB Case Review - how to make an application for the ASB Review process
The Essex Mediation & Restorative Justice Hub how to make a referral where mediation or other restorative services may resolve the conflict,
e.g. neighbours in conflict (referral can be made using form CRA1). Victims can also ‘self-refer’ by accessing the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner’s website for the referral application).

6) Retention – Where the Police resource has secondary risk assessed the incident as standard risk, with an appropriate rationale recorded on the incident in line with this policy, the completed ATH-RISK form will be submitted to the records office online with the management of police information (MoPI)

7) Finalisation – The Storm incident will not be closed without a risk assessment grading from the attending officer.

For ASB Nuisance and Environmental incidents there is no requirement to record these as a non-crime Athena investigation. Please refer to section 8.0 and create an Athena PMP.

3.5 Crime Data Accuracy and Anti-Social Behaviour Incidents

Not all incidents finalised ASB receive a secondary review by the NSRT. Those ASB incidents that are reviewed, the NSRT will ensure that appropriate checks are carried out to confirm crime data accuracy, correct ASB classification and that a suitable risk grading has been endorsed. Where any errors are identified they will be referred back to Control Centre for rectification.

3.6 Case Management

The ownership, investigation and case management of Medium and High Risk ASB non crime incidents will be the responsibility of the NPT (this includes Town Centre Teams)

The ownership, investigation and case management of crimes identified follow attendance at an ASB incident will be in line with the Force allocation policy.

Procedure D 0503 – Command and Control of Incidents and Policy B 2500 Victims and Witnesses.

The Investigation and management of Environmental/Nuisance ASB incidents, where it is deemed necessary to create a Proactive Management Platform (PMP) record due to the complex nature or community impact, will be the responsibility of NPT.

The decision maker will be the NPT Inspector for the geographic area.

3.7 Athena ASB Personal Non-Crime Investigations

Key Review Points

High Risk

Sergeants are responsible for ensuring all investigations sent to allocations trays are allocated within 24hrs of receipt.
OIC must contact victim within 24 hours of allocation.
OIC must explain to the victim how to make an application for the ASB case review process.
NPT Inspector complete review of the risk assessment, investigation, safeguarding and any requirement for collaboration with partner agencies.
This will be document on enquiry log for all cases within 7 days of investigations being allocated to the OIC.
NPT Sergeant complete review of the investigation and any changes to the risk assessment. This will be document on enquiry log after 14 days of allocation to the OIC, then at an appropriate timescale determined by the Sergeant.
NPT Inspector complete closing review and document on enquiry log prior to closing.
Victims must be provided with an update prior to the closing of the investigation.
Consider a referral to Restorative Justice.

Medium Risk

Sergeants are responsible for ensuring all investigations sent to allocations trays are allocated within 72hrs of receipt
OIC must contact victim within 72 hours of allocation.
OIC must explain to the victim how to make an application for the ASB case review process.
NPT Sergeant will complete a review of the investigation and any changes to the risk assessment after 28 days. This will be audited on the enquiry log. Further reviews will be scheduled at an appropriate timescale determined by the Sergeant, but no later than 28 days.
NPT Sergeant completes rationale prior to closing.
Victims must be provided with an update prior to the closing of the investigation.
Consider a referral to Restorative Justice.

3.8 Identifying Crimes that relate to Anti-Social Behaviour

The ASB definition “conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person” is broad terminology that may encompass a multitude of incidents and crimes.

It is vital that officers and staff identify ASB related matters to ensure that the appropriate risk assessment is completed with the victim, problem-solving with partner agencies is considered and prompts the consideration of the utilisation of ASB powers.

At the point of allocation of a crime, the OIC must consider if the crime investigation is ASB related, the OIC must complete an ASB risk assessment by using the risk assessment tab on Athena and endorse the enquiry log.

An example of this would be a neighbour dispute, which should always be classed as ASB whether this is a crime or non-crime incident.

Officers and Staff will comply with Policy B 0100 - Recording of Incidents and Crimes

3.9 ASB Case Review (formerly known as the Community Trigger)

The ASB case review is a statutory provision introduced in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.  It provides victims of anti-social behaviour with a legal right to demand agencies review their case where no effective action has been taken to resolve the anti-social behaviour.  Victims can request a review if three or more incidents of ASB or one incident of hate crime have been reported within the last 6 months. 

Victims (or person acting on their behalf) can apply the ASB case review process by completing an on-line application found on their local authority website (use search bar ‘ASB case review).  

The ASB Case Review should not be perceived as a complaint, but instead an opportunity for agencies to find a solution for the victim(s) of the anti-social behaviour The police Service as a responsible authority, alongside Councils, Integrated Care Board or Housing Provider can request an ASB Case Review to problem-solve the
ASB matter enabling the best service across the partner agencies.

3.10 ASB Problem Solving Plans

Essex Police have a crime prevention and problem-solving ethos throughout the organisation.

ASB incidents can be complex to resolve, are a serious issue for residents and businesses, will require collaboration between partner agencies, may involve crimes and non-crime incidents. Unresolved ASB incidents can have a devastating impact on communities and individuals.

This can span across all types of ASB whether it is classified as Personal, Environmental or Nuisance.

Where an anti-social behaviour incident fits the below criteria, officer’s must use the problem-solving process:

Is there a recurring pattern of incidents?
Is the problem causing harm to the community?
Are police generally responsible for addressing?
Is routine policing unlike to control or prevent it?

Essex Police use the problem-Solving model OSARA; Objective, Scanning, Analysis. response, Assessment
Please refer to policy guidelines Procedure A 0611 - Problem Solving Plans and create an Athena Proactive Management Plan (PMP).

NPT will lead on the management of all PMP in relation to ASB in the districts. This would be particularly important around ongoing Nuisance or Environmental ASB where this is the appropriate platform to record and problem-solve the issues.

3.11 ASB Governance

ASB Oversight Board

The force level strategic governance of Anti-Social Behaviour incidents will be the responsibility of the ASB Lead Officer for Essex Police. The force performance board is the ASB Oversight Board.

Contact Management Programme and Performance Board

The Force Level CMPPB is the governance board for the performance of the Contact Management Command which includes ASB related performance.

Local Policing Areas

Local Policing Areas – North, South and West LPAs hold oversight boards that report into the Strategic board.

3.11.1 LPA Pacesetter Meetings

High Risk ASB Incidents within the previous 24 hours will be discussed at the local PACESETTER call each morning.

It will be the responsibility of the NPT Inspector to attend the meeting to discuss these incidents to ensure progression, the victim has been contacted, and any appropriate safeguarding has been implemented where appropriate.

In the absence of the NPT Inspector, a nominated NPT Sergeant will attend the Pacesetter meeting.

The local Command Team Duty Officer will be responsible for overseeing any ongoing High-Risk incidents.

3.11.2 The effective use of ASB Data

Essex Police will prioritise ASB-P, but it is important to identify incidents of ASB-N and E that may impact upon the local community and that may require a joint approach to identify a problem-solving solution. 

A data provision is now provided through the Performance Assessment Unit (PAU) that captures data around repeat victims, repeat locations and repeat incidents of ASB that may require a collaborative approach to resolve. 

It will be the responsibility of the NPT Inspector to review the daily and monthly data to identify local problems, work with partners and the community to problem solve.

3.11.3 Recording the Police use of ASB powers

The effective use of the broad range of police powers provided in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2014, is a key component in putting the victim first, tackling anti-social behaviour and improving public confidence in policing.

It is vital that the Police appropriately record and audit the use of these powers, in order to complete the necessary organisational learning to provide the best possible outcomes for victims of ASB.

Essex Police will record the following use of the following powers;

Community Protection Warnings
Community Protection Notices
Criminal Behaviour Orders
Civil Injunction
Dispersal Powers
Closure Powers
ASB Case Reviews

4.0 Equality Impact Assessment

EIA – December 2025

5.0 Risk Assessment

5.1 As with all other incident types, staff attending ASB incidents, as well as dispatchers, supervisors and managers deploying officers to incidents will need to carry out a dynamic risk assessment dependent upon the circumstances specific to each incident.

5.2 Compliance with the procedure and any governing policy is mandatory. Failure to comply could;

Pose a risk of failing to understand and address ASB correctly;
Pose a risk of failure to identify risk and appropriate risk assessments throughout the journey of an incident;
Pose a risk of failure to accurately record incidents of ASB;
Compromise collaboration with partners to resolve ASB issues;
A potential reduction in / damage to public trust and confidence in Essex Police.

5.3 Non-compliance by any member of Essex Police may also lead to;

Potential additional action, for example line manager intervention / learning the lessons / local resolution or PSD referral depending on severity e.g. misconduct or gross misconduct.

6.0 Consultation

The following were invited to consult during the formulation of this document:

Unison 
Police Federation 
Health & Safety 
Head of Operational Change 
Head of Continuous Improvement
PSD D/Superintendent 
Risk 
Policy 
Specials Command
Superintendents Association 
Crime & Incident Registrar 
DPO/Temp Head of Info Management 
Contact Management Command 
LPA District Commanders 
LPA Commanders 
Human Resources
Support Network Chairs and Vice Chairs
Essex Diversity and Inclusion Team
Contact Management Command
Employee Relations

7.0 Monitoring and Review

This procedure will be reviewed by or on behalf of the Head of Local Policing Support Unit every 12 months to ensure that it accurately reflects current legislation and contains best practice in supporting organisational strategy.

8.0 Governing Force policy.

Related Force policies or related procedures

Policy A 1000 – Anti-Social Behaviour

8.1 Data Security

Essex Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy – W 1000 Policy – Information Management.

8.2 Retention & Disposal of Records

Essex Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention & Disposal Policy – W 1012 Procedure/SOP - Records Review, Retention and Disposal.

We will only hold data for as long as necessary for the purposes for which we collected. Victims/public should be reminded that Essex Police take the protection of personal data seriously as described in the privacy notice

9.0 Other source documents, e.g., legislation, Authorised Professional Practice (APP), Force forms, partnership agreements, (if applicable)

Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner’s
ASB and Hate Crime Knowledge Hub (sharepoint.com)
Anti-social behaviour | College of Policing
CPW & CPN Guidance
EIA - December 2025

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