Two-thirds of victims of anti-social behaviour still face unresolved issues despite reporting case to authorities: Victims’ Commissioner

A survey of more than 500 victims of anti-social behaviour has found that 63% still face unresolved issues despite reporting their case to a responsible agency such as the police, local authority or housing association.

The survey, carried out by the Victims’ Commissioner, also found that two in five cases have been ongoing for more than five years.

Less than a third of respondents said they had received any help or support.

The Victims’ Commissioner’s report, Still living a nightmare: understanding the experiences of victims of anti-social behaviour, was also based on in-depth interviews with 13 victims of persistent ASB.

It highlights “several instances where victims were ignored or dismissed by the responsible agencies, with one victim even recounting being laughed at by a police officer”.

Additionally, the report warns of the “severe toll” that being persistently targeted by various forms of anti-social behaviour for hours day and night over a prolonged period can have on victims, revealing that some surveyed victims considered ‘taking their own life’ as a result of the ASB they were suffering from.

Nearly four in five victims (78%) experienced at least two different types of anti-social behaviour – increasing to three different types for as many as 60% of those surveyed. They described a combination of persistent noise nuisance, verbal abuse, harassment, and intimidation.

The report – a follow up to a Victims’ Commissioner report in 2019 – makes 11 recommendations with four overarching aims.

Improve identification of persistent anti-social behaviour and support for victims:

• By ensuring that police have appropriate training and processes in place to identify victim risk and vulnerabilities.
• By clarifying the rights and entitlements of victims of persistent anti-social behaviour.

Improve collaboration and communication between statutory agencies:

• By strengthening the duty on Community Safety Partnerships to tackle anti-social behaviour and introducing minimum standards.
• By providing victims with a single point of contact throughout their case.

Improve awareness and utilisation of the anti-social behaviour Case Review:

• By strengthening victim awareness of and participation in the Case Review process.
• By ensuring the independence of Case Reviews.

Improve the reporting and resolution landscape for anti-social behaviour:

• By ensuring consistent access to anti-social behaviour Case Reviews through standardised thresholds.
• By improved data sharing between agencies with responsibility for tackling anti-social behaviour.

Baroness Newlove said: “Anti-social behaviour blights lives and communities. All too often it is not addressed effectively, often downplayed, and poorly understood. Despite my previous report setting out clear recommendations, I am disappointed that so little meaningful progress has been made. Too many victims continue to suffer, with many stuck in the same patterns of anti-social behaviour and facing the same perpetrators as five years ago. The time for empty promises is over – we now need real, tangible progress.”

Responding to the report, Cllr Heather Kidd, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on communities and individuals, and councils are committed to working with partners to protect residents from offenders who can make the lives of the people they target a misery.

“Victims report their experiences to a number of organisations including their council, housing provider and the police, which means tackling it requires a multi-agency response with adequate powers and resourcing to take action.

“The LGA is working with councils to advise government how to achieve its stated aim of tackling anti-social behaviour. This will include better information sharing between agencies and better co-ordinated action.”

Harry Rodd