Everyone deserves to feel safe at home and in their community.
During Antisocial Behaviour Awareness Week, believe housing is reminding customers how to report concerns and what support is available.
Led by community safety organisation Resolve, the campaign runs from 29 June to 5 July, highlighting the impact of antisocial behaviour — which recent research shows affects over half of UK adults — and the importance of creating safer communities.
Antisocial behaviour can make everyday life feel stressful, upsetting or unsafe, but help is available. All reports to believe housing are taken seriously, with a range of approaches used to address and resolve issues, including working with partner organisations where appropriate.
What is antisocial behaviour?
Antisocial behaviour means behaviour that causes harm, alarm or distress to others. This can include:
- noise nuisance, such as loud music late at night
- vehicle nuisance, including off-road bikes
- fly-tipping
- animal nuisance, such as dogs straying or fouling
- drunken or rowdy behaviour
Some everyday noise, such as children playing or normal DIY, is not usually considered antisocial behaviour. However, if something happens repeatedly, feels targeted, or makes someone feel unsafe, it is important to report it.
Other issues, such as drug use, harassment or threatening behaviour, can also be crimes. Please report any concerns to us and, where a crime may have taken place or someone is at immediate risk, contact the police.
How believe housing can help
Every report is looked at carefully so the response can be right for the situation. The first step is to listen, understand what has happened, and talk through the options.
This may include gathering evidence, keeping customers updated, giving advice, supporting mediation, or working with partners such as the police or local council. In some cases, warnings may be issued or action taken under the tenancy.
Legal action is only considered if the issue is serious, ongoing, or cannot be resolved in another way. This could include applying for an injunction or, in the most serious cases, taking steps to end a tenancy.
Eviction is always a last resort. Wherever possible, work is carried out with customers to resolve issues, reduce the impact on others, and help them keep their home. Any decision to evict must be backed by evidence and decided by a court.
Reporting concerns
No one should have to put up with antisocial behaviour.
If you feel safe and comfortable, you may want to speak to your neighbour first about minor issues. A calm and polite conversation can often resolve things early and stop them getting worse.
If the problem continues, or you do not feel able to do this, report it to us as soon as possible so the right support can be put in place.
The more detail you can give, the easier it is to understand what has happened. This includes:
- dates and times
- what happened
- who was involved
- how it affected you
- your name and contact details
Photos, diary notes or police reference numbers can also help build a clearer picture. Reporting concerns can feel difficult, but clear information from named witnesses helps us take the right action.
Serious concerns
Some situations go beyond general antisocial behaviour and need a more urgent response. These include:
- harassment – threatening or targeted behaviour intended to intimidate or harm
- domestic abuse – controlling, coercive, threatening or violent behaviour within a relationship or family
- hate crime – behaviour motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone’s identity
- cuckooing – when someone takes over a person’s home for criminal activity
In some cases, individuals may be vulnerable or being exploited, even if the behaviour appears to be coming from their home.
If someone is being harmed, controlled or targeted, it should be reported straight away. If there is immediate danger or a crime taking place, contact the police.
Get in touch
If you are experiencing or witnessing antisocial behaviour, get in touch as soon as possible so the right support can be put in place.
- Call: 0300 1311 999
- Email: hello@believehousing.co.uk
- Use the customer portal
If there is immediate danger or a crime taking place, contact the police.
You can also report crimes or antisocial behaviour anonymously through the independent Crimestoppers charity by visiting their website or calling 0800 555 111.
Be a good neighbour
Small actions make a big difference to how safe and comfortable neighbourhoods feel and can help avoid conflict.
Customers are encouraged to:
- Be considerate
Think about how parking and use of communal areas affect others. Avoid gathering in large, rowdy groups.
- Be mindful of noise
Keep music, DIY and gatherings to a reasonable volume and time.
- Be a responsible pet owner
Keep pets under control, clean up after them and do not let them disturb neighbours.
- Be tidy
Keep gardens, balconies and bins clean and clear.
- Be responsible
Customers are accountable for their own behaviour and that of anyone living at or visiting their home.