Anti-Social Behaviour FAQs
What is anti-social behaviour?
The definition of anti-social behaviour under the Crime and
Disorder Act 1998 is that it is 'behaviour likely to cause alarm,
harassment or distress to members of the public not of the same
household as the perpetrator'.
Depending on the circumstances, many kinds of behaviour can be
called anti-social
The main examples include:
- Criminal damage/vandalism
- Threatening behaviour
- Harassment
- Abandoned vehicles
- Neighbour problems
- Noise
- Dogs fouling
- Fly tipping
Anti-social behaviour is dealt with by several different
departments within Dover District Council.
My neighbours garden is untidy and has an unpleasant
odour can you do anything about it?
If the garden is just untidy or unsightly then we are unable to
intervene, unless it is a council property. If there is an
unpleasant odour or vermin have been sighted then this will be
investigated by an environmental health officer and the owner will
be forced to clean it.
I am planning on having a party and the music may be
loud. Who do I need to advise?
We recommend that you inform your neighbours that you are
planning on having a party. You should also contact customer
services (01304 872428, customerservices@dover.gov.uk)
who can offer further advice regarding noise pollution.
Should the environmental health department or the out of hours
service receive complaints about the music after 10pm then you may
be visited by an officer and asked to turn it down. Any
further complaints received may result in a fine or
prosecution.
Can I remain anonymous when I report noise
nuisance?
Unfortunately you are unable to remain anonymous when reporting
a noise nuisance as we will need to send you diaries to keep track
of the noise and possibly install noise monitoring equipment.
Report noise online.
How can I report the fact that my neighbours are
constantly being noisy?
The Council operates a service to deal with persistent or severe
noise problems. During normal office hours phone the pollution team
for advice. Outside normal office hours, including weekends, the
service will deal with severe noise nuisances as they arise.
What happens if an abatement notice has been served and
the person continues to make a noise?
If a person receives an abatement notice but carries on making
noise without a good reason, they will have committed an
offence. The courts and the police have a range of powers
they can use to punish the offender.
Courts can impose fines of up to £5,000 for individuals and
£20,000 for businesses.
In certain circumstances, where the noise maker is aggressive or
violent, the council can work with the police to issue an
anti-social behaviour order, which aims to stop an individual
behaving anti-socially.
My neighbour's security light is shining into my house,
can you help?
Yes, we are able to help by asking your neighbours to reposition
the light, however, we recommend that you approach your neighbour
in the first instance as they may not realise that it is causing
you difficulties.
What is the best way to approach my neighbour about a
noise problem?
It is important to approach your neighbour as soon as the
problem gets out of control. Many problems can be dealt with
in a friendly way, without the need for further action. You
may be nervous about approaching your neighbour, but remember that
they may not know that they are the source of a problem.
Often they will be embarrassed about the nuisance they have been
causing and will be more considerate in the future.
Before you approach your neighbour, plan what you are going to
say. Keep calm and be pleasant - then they will be more
likely to respond positively to your complaint.
Never approach your neighbour when the noise is actually
happening. You are more likely to be angry and have an
argument with them.
If its late at night and your neighbour is playing music loudly
or having a party, they may have been drinking alcohol. If
this is the case, they are less likely to understand your point of
view and may think you are just trying to spoil their fun.
Be Careful - Before you approach your
neighbour, it is important to think about the risk to your personal
safety and property. If you feel frightened or intimidated by
your neighbour and you are worried that they may be aggressive,
approaching them to complain may not be the best option for
you.
If this is the case, check whether your neighbours rent the
property, if they do you could talk to their landlord. When
people agree to rent, they normally have to agree not to cause
nuisance to neighbours.
Use a go between - If the direct approach does
not work, you could use a go-between or mediator. Someone
like this can listen to the views of both sides and can help you
reach an agreement. To find out about mediation you can call
Mediation UK on 0117 904 6661. Most neighbour mediation is
free and is done by specially trained volunteers.
Taking formal action - When talking you your
neighbour is not possible or doesn't work, you can deal with noise
problems by taking formal action such as:
- Contacting the Council on 01304 872428 to make a formal noise
complaint
- Complaining to a magistrates court
What can I do if my Neighbours are having lots of
bonfires?
If your neighbours are having more than one bonfire a week we
first recommend that you approach your neighbour and advise them of
how they are affecting you. If this approach is not
successful or you do not feel that this will work then please
contact our Customer services team on 01304 872428 or email
pollutionandwaste@dover.gov.uk where
support and advice will be offered. More
information on garden bonfires
What is the Council doing about anti-social
behaviour?
Reducing anti-social behaviour is one of our top priorities, a
Community Safety Unit has been set up to improve and extend
our existing response to anti-social behaviour. We have set
up new closer working arrangements with the police and other
agencies to address anti-social behaviour.
Can I make a confidential of report anti-social behavior
to protect my identity?
Yes, just let us know when you contact us that you wish to
remain anonymous. We can be contacted on 01304 872220 or by email
on csu@dover.gov.uk
What can the council do about excessive
noise?
The Council has a duty to take reasonable steps to investigate
complaints coming from the following sources:
- Land (such as construction sites)
- Buildings
- Vehicles (excluding general traffic noise)
- Machinery or equipment in the street, such as construction
equipment and outdoor sound equipment
What happens if an abatement notice has been served and
the person continues to make a noise?
If the Council do not take action when you make a noise
complaint or you do not wish to involve the council, you can
complain about a noise problem directly to a magistrates
court. The magistrates court will need to be persuaded that
the noise problem amounts to a statutory nuisance.
It is important that you keep a written record of the dates,
times and duration of the noise, as well as a description of the
noise, as well as a description of it and the distress it causes
you. Before you complain to the magistrates you should first
try approaching your neighbour.
The first step when thinking about taking action through a
magistrates court is to seek advice from the clerk at the
court. Before you start legal proceedings you must write to
the noise maker and explain that you intend to take legal
action. The noise maker must receive three days' written
notice before you begin proceedings.
How do I report anti-social behaviour?
You can report incidents of anti-social behaviour by:
- Using the reporting form on this
website, please select which type of anti-social behaviour you
wish to report
- Telephone - 01304 872220
- Letter to the Community Safety Unit, Dover District Council,
White Cliffs Business Park, Dover CT16 3PJ
- Fax to 01304 872168
What types of vehicles do the council remove and how
much does it cost?
The council will remove almost any unwanted vehicle, including
cars, vans, and caravans, but there is a charge if special removal
equipment is needed. Please contact customer services on 01304
872428 or email customerservices@dover.gov.uk
I reported noise to the out of hours service why was I
not visited by an officer?
All reports of noise by the out of hours service are logged and
passed to an officer within the department. However, if this
is the first report or more than one person has not reported the
noise you will not get access to the noise officer. You
should contact the Pollution section of environmental health on
01304 872428 on the next working day.
I have seen someone fly tipping how can I report
this?
If you spot any fly tipped waste or see anyone fly tipping
please report it - the rubbish can then be removed and with your
help the crime can be investigated. You can either use
our online fly tipping form or
telephone our Waste line number 01304 872428 to report what you
see.
What can I do about my neighbours dogs
barking?
If the barking is causing distress we would recommend in the
first instance going to see your neighbour to explain the
problem. If you have already done this or feel that your
neighbours will not receptive to this approach please contact the
customer services team on 01304 872428 or email us on pollutionandwaste@dover.gov.uk where
further advice and support can be offered.
My neighbour is driving a vehicle with no tax on, how
can I report it?
Unfortunately the council are unable to do anything if the
vehicle has not been abandoned. To report this you will need
to contact the DVLA
What is the council's anti-social behaviour policy for its
tenants?The Housing Services Anti Social Behaviour Policy has been
prepared as a result of a requirement of the Anti Social Behaviour
Act 2003 that requires all Social Landlords to publish their
policies on Anti Social Behaviour. This policy forms a strand of
Dover District Council's overarching policy to deal effectively
with Anti Social Behaviour.
A meeting was held with the District Tenants Group on 5th
January 2005 where the policy was agreed unanimously. The policy
has also been approved by Cabinet. Attached below is a copy
of the approved policy.
There is graffiti on a wall/path etc how do I arrange
for this to be removed?
Please contact our customer service department on 01304 872428
and if it is on council property we will arrange for our
contractors to remove it. If the graffiti is on private
property it is the responsibility of the owner to remove it, if it
is of an offensive nature we can start proceedings against the
owner to force them to remove it.
How can I report an abandoned vehicle?
To report an abandoned vehicle please complete our online form for abandoned vehicles or
telephone our Customer Services department on 01304 872428.
You will be asked a number of questions about the location, type
and condition of the vehicle, necessary for us to identify it and
make the necessary checks before arranging for it to be
removed.
What happens after an abandoned vehicle has been
reported?
The Council asks the police to check for the name and address of
the registered keeper. This is where the "action time" clock starts
ticking.
If the vehicle is known by the police to have been involved in
crime, the Council will not normally be involved in organising its
removal.
If the police can get the name and address of the registered
keeper, they write to them, giving them 7 days to respond.
The speed with which the owner responds affects the speed of the
removal. If the owner responds quickly, signs a declaration asking
the Council to remove the vehicle, and hands over the Registration
document (log book), the vehicle will be taken as soon as
possible.
If the owner does not respond after the 7 days, or the police
cannot find the owner, the Council will arrange for the vehicle's
removal. In the meantime the Council will go to see the vehicle and
photograph it for the record, and to see if there are any health
and safety issues, such as is it parked in a dangerous place or is
it likely to be vandalised. The Council does have the power
to remove an abandoned vehicle within 24 hours, but this power is
rarely used because it usually takes a few days to establish
ownership.
As soon as possible in each individual case, the Council will
arrange for the vehicle to be removed. Generally, this will be
between 3 - 4 weeks. In some circumstances it may be quicker, in
others, it may take longer.
Different rules apply to vehicles on private land, adopted
highways or Dover District Council Housing land.
How many abandoned vehicles do the Council remove in a
year?
Almost 1000 vehicles per year are removed form Council owned
land, and almost 3000 per year are removed from elsewhere.
Where can I get help and advice if I am the victim of
Domestic Violence?
A domestic abuse information booklet is attached for
victims of domestic violence, or friends and family of those
suffering abuse. The booklet details all local services and lists
agencies and what role they play. It is available in hard copy from
a number of outlets i.e health centres, Homestart, Surestart,
housing providers, libraries, the domestic violence office at
Bouverie House, probation offices etc.
If you are a victim or know someone that needs help or advice
please call the 24 hr Domestic Violence Helpline on 01303 220810 or
the domestic violence office on 01303 289074 (office hours only).
In an emergency please call the police on 01304 240055 or call
999.
What are the telephone numbers for reporting Anti-social
Behaviour?
- Community Safety Unit: 01304 872220
- Dover Police Station: 01304 240055
- Mediation Service: 01303 227296
- Crimestoppers: 0800 555111
- Racial incident reporting line: 0800 1381624
- Homophobic reporting line: 0800 3289162
- Victim Support: 01303 211400
- Citizens Advice Bureau: 01304 202567
- Samaritans: 08457 909090
IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY DIAL 999
What are the regulations regarding mini
Motos?
When you are riding your mini moto there are a few basic rules
to follow:
DON'T
- Break the law by riding your mini-moto on roads, pavements,
beaches or in parks.
- Cause alarm and distress to others through the illegal use of a
mini-moto
- Risk losing your driving licence, illegal use of a mini-moto
could mean a ban from driving, even if you don't have a licence
yet
- Cause injury to yourself and others by driving mini-motos on
pavements and roads in your neighbourhood
DO
- Drove your mini-moto on a legal site
- Contact your local police to find out the location of your
nearest mini-moto track.
- Drive safely. You should wear safety clothing including a
helmet.
If you break the law your moto could be seized and crushed you
could also face a driving ban, a fine or a criminal
conviction.
E-mail: csu@dover.gov.uk
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