Working with our partners, we will use a range of tools and powers to reduce anti-social behaviour.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Acceptable Behaviour Agreements [ABA]
An Acceptable Behaviour Agreement (ABA), also known as an Acceptable Behaviour Contract, is a voluntary agreement between an individual, the Council and/or partner agencies. It stipulates the actions needed to promote positive behaviour and is often used as the first remedy in tackling anti-social behaviour.
Good Neighbour Agreements (GNA)
A Good Neighbour Agreement is a non-legal agreement made between two or more members of a household and their neighbours, similar to an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement. It should be used to prevent an escalation in neighbour conflict. The terms of the agreement can be negotiated through independent mediators or by an Anti-social Behaviour Caseworker.
Unacceptable Behaviour Notices (UBN)
Unacceptable Behaviour Notices are issued to individuals who decline to sign up to an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement. It is used to inform the individual of the behaviour that has been identified as unacceptable by South Tyneside Council/South Tyneside Homes and Northumbria Police.
Formal and final warning letters
All perpetrators of anti-social behaviour will receive a series of letters from formal warnings, to a notice before court proceedings. At each stage the perpetrator will be encouraged to engage in positive behaviour and offered support.
Anti-social Behaviour Orders (ASBO’s)
Anti-social Behaviour Orders can be made against any person aged 10, or over, who has acted in an anti-social manner. The order prohibits the individual from continuing to do specified anti-social acts or entering defined locations, in order to protect the public in those areas.
Anti-social Behaviour Injunctions (ASBI’s)
The council, as a relevant landlord, can apply to Court for an Anti-social Behaviour Injunction. Injunctions are a discretionary remedy; the Court decides whether it is appropriate for one to be used. The Anti-social Behaviour Injunction prevents a defendant from engaging in conduct which is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any person, and which directly relates to the landlords housing management functions. The penalty for breach of an injunction can be up to two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine for contempt of Court.
Notice of Seeking Possession
This is a legal notice before taking possession proceedings at Court. It puts a tenant on notice of the reported anti-social behaviour and lets them know that, unless rectified, the Council will seek possession of the property through the Court.
