Anti-Social Behaviour

Anti-Social Behaviour 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' (Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 and Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011). 

But there are different types of anti-social behaviour, which can fall into two categories, Criminal Anti-social Behaviour and Environmental Anti- Social Behaviour. 

Here is a good breakdown on Police UK of what constitutes Criminal ASB and Environmental ASB. It's important to know the difference, as it indicates who you should report the problem to.
 

You should report the following Environmental ASB to the Council's Environmental Health Team: Noise, Pollution, fly-tipping, dog mess and graffiti.

The following ASB types can be reported to our Community Safety Team, via our online ASB reporting form: Rowdy Inappropriate Behaviour, Nuisance Vehicles, Street Drinking, Road Safety, Nuisance Neighbours, Begging, Groups gathering, Fire Setting, Youth Disorder.

To report criminal incidents of anti-social behaviour, such as: damage to property, abandoned or stolen vehicles, aggressive dogs or arranged dog fighting, off-road vehicle nuisance and dangerous driving to Merseyside Police on 101 (non emergency). In an emergency situation call 999. 

You can also report ASB to your Housing Provider, if you are a tenant of a Housing Association, or your Landlord if you are in Private Tenant.

You should get a confirmation of your report and an update on what's being done to investigate. Then the outcome of the investigation.

If you do not hear anything, you can ask for an update from the authority (the police, council or landlord) you reported the antisocial behaviour to.

Yes, you can report criminal ASB anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you are a victim of persistent antisocial behaviour, you can seek help via the Victim Care Merseyside Hub https://victimcaremerseyside.org/

Visit our Noise problem page, to find out what we can do about different types of noise: What we can investigate - St Helens Borough Council

You can report vandalism to public property or graffiti in public spaces, to us at the council, by calling 01744 676789, or by using our online reporting form. Report it - St Helens Borough Council

If you feel threatened by ASB and feel a crime has been committed, you should contact Merseyside Police. You can also request ASB Case Reviews if you have already reported repeated Anti-Social Behaviour.

There is no general prohibition on drinking in the street but certain offences relating to alcohol may be committed in "public places" (this generally means "any place to which the public have access, whether on payment or otherwise" (the Licensing Act 1872 and subsequent Licensing Acts) such as being drunk and disorderly in a public place and being drunk in any highway or other public place.
Councils can use public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) to restrict the consumption of alcohol in a public space where it is associated with anti-social behaviour. We currently have a PSPO in place in St Helens Town Centre. Find out more here: www.sthelens.gov.uk/pspo

There are a number of punishments for committing anti-social behaviour. Find out more here: Punishments for antisocial behaviour - GOV.UK

Problems we can deal with

• Parking on yellow lines
• Parking in waiting or loading bays
• Problems with council car parks or pay and display machines
• Vehicles parking in a resident's bay without a permit
• Requests for H markings and disabled bays

Problems we can't deal with

• A vehicle blocking a road which could cause a danger to others
• A vehicle blocking a pavement or blocking access to a property, for example parked on a dropped kerb
• Speed restrictions or careless driving

To report this, please call Merseyside Police by calling 101 or use their report it page.

Parking outside schools

If you are driving your child to school please make sure you park safely, legally and considerately. Please don't park across household driveways near schools and always park safely. We don't want to see anyone hurt. 

It is illegal to park on 'School Keep Clear' markings or zig zag markings. They are there to keep the area clear and for the safety of children and other pedestrians. 

Civil Enforcement Officers patrol outside schools throughout the borough on an ad hoc basis and any motorist seen to be parking or stopping to drop off passengers on school markings can be fined.

Report a parking problem

• your name, address and contact details
• as much information as possible about the problem 
• where the problem is
• details about the vehicle and whether it happens often 

Report A Parking Problem

If your problem relates to a parking fine (PCN) please use the parking challenge form or email parkingenforcement@sthelens.gov.uk