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