Agenda item

The report informs the Committee of the approaches adopted by the Council and partners in response to reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) during 2020.  (Report enclosed as Appendix C).

The report informed the Committee of the approaches adopted by the Council and partners in response to reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) during 2020.  (A copy of the report is attached to the signed minutes as Appendix C).

Philip Soderquest, Head of Housing and Public Protection, gave a detailed summary of the report which included the legal definition of anti-social behaviour, as set out in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, how the service was delivered, composition of the team, application of powers, partnership working, use of Victim Offender Location (VOL) meetings with escalation to Anti-Social behaviour Risk Assessment Conference (ASBRAC), if required.

The report compared the numbers of complaints in the different categories for 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 01.04.20 – 31.10.20.  It was recognised that, although the latest figures were only for the first 7-month period of 2020/21, they were relatively high when compared with the figures for previous years.  It was expected that there would be a significant increase in the numbers of complaints for 2020/21.

Categories where a lot of complaints had been made included: intimidation or harassment, rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour and noise nuisance.  It was believed that this was partly down to people spending more time in their own homes and being less tolerant, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and national lockdown restrictions.  The increase in numbers of complaints being experienced in other areas.

The Head of Housing and Public Protection explained how the restrictions arising from the first national lockdown on 23 March 2020 until July 2020, when staff had been working from home, had impacted on the normal physical delivery of the service.  This had changed when national guidance had been released and enabled some aspects of service provision to be re-introduced, including; placement of noise equipment in residents homes, site visits for high risk cases, supporting resolution of complaints by telephone discussion and mediation to prevent escalation of community tension.

Other activity during 2020 had included a three-yearly review of Public Space Protection Orders concerning consumption of alcohol in public places which might lead to anti-social behaviour, nuisance or annoyance.  Two new areas had been included, Ponteland and Wylam, whilst two areas previously covered had been removed.

The report also included information on performance indicators, response to youth disorder and targeting and intervention with lead individuals, work in relation to the Violence Reduction Unit, and nitrous oxide substance misuse, responsibility for which rested with the Police and Crime Commissioner and police, with the Council working in partnership, where appropriate.

He provided the following clarification in response to questions from members:

·       Issues regarding NCC housing were dealt with by the Council’s Housing team, with referrals being made to other housing providers, until their powers were exhausted, whilst the Community Safety Team responded to other housing complaints.

·       The Council’s housing service had obtained Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation which had meant that all staff had received training to recognise signs of domestic abuse and know when to make a referral.

·       Different issues had emerged during the latest lockdown, compared to the first.  Many businesses initially had not been prepared to provide a click and collect service and had since made changes to their operating models.  In March 2020 there were hardly many businesses open and far less movements by residents, compared with the latest position.  Businesses were mainly compliant with lockdown rules.  There was a high level of compliance with restrictions by members of the public, but the level of weariness and frustration had increased with a small minority of residents creating issues and challenges.

·       The report had initially been prepared for a meeting before Christmas, which was why figures were only included up to 31 October 2020.  It was not anticipated that the increase in the number of complaints, believed to be attributable to the pandemic, would continue as an increasing trend in future years, beyond the pandemic.

·       Complaints regarding speeding vehicles were referred to the Police.

·       Further information on an instance of inappropriate sexual behaviour would be obtained and investigated outside of the meeting.

·       CCTV was a useful tool, although there were limitations on when this could be deployed, requiring a level of evidence and availability of staff resources.  There were concerns that, anti-social behaviour arising from the consumption of alcohol was displaced elsewhere.

·       Designated Public Places Orders (DPPOs) were superseded by PSPOs, a broadly similar mechanism to deal with anti-social behaviour arising from alcohol consumption.

·       The report covered the period 1 April 2020 to 31 October 2020 and therefore complaints regarding inappropriate use of fireworks fell outside the reporting period.

·       Incidents of fly tipping were recorded elsewhere.

·       Category 1 incidents were of high priority and determined by national guidance with a target being that they should be responded to within 3 working days.

Members expressed their appreciation to the Community Safety Team for their continued hard work during the pandemic, and positive outcomes.  However, they were concerned that there were no age restrictions for the sale of nitrous oxide.  The Head of Housing and Public Protection suggested that members comments be forwarded to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).

RESOLVED that:

1.    The report be received.

2.    The concerns of the Communities and Place OSC on the sale of nitrous oxide and the introduction of an age restriction, be referred to the Office for Product Safety and Standards.