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Tips to tackle anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour – it can make people’s lives a misery, but if you are at the receiving end of it what can you do about it?

While there are some areas where organisations such as the Council and the police can step in, the trick is to nip things in the bud if you can. We’ve put together some pointers about what is classified as anti-social behaviour, what you can do and who can help.

Noisy Neighbours: Noise that may be considered a statutory nuisance including loud music, persistently barking dogs and regular parties.

  • Try speaking to your neighbour or pop a polite note through their door – they may be unaware that they are causing an issue
  • If this doesn’t work, keep a noise diary for three weeks and register a noise complaint with our Public Protection team or call 01752 304147.
  • If you are a Housing Association tenant, report this to your landlord.

Fly-tipping: this is illegal dumping of rubbish.

  • If you are caught fly-tipping, you could face a £400 fixed penalty notice
  • If you see someone fly-tipping, record as much evidence as possible – such as date, time, vehicle model and registration number, a description of the person involved
  • Report fly tipping to our Public Protection team or call 01752 304147.

Illegal drug use or drug dealing

  • Report to Devon and Cornwall Police on 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency). You can also report non-emergency crime via the webchat or the Devon and Cornwall Police online reporting form.
  • Crime can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via the Crime Stoppers website 

Neighbour disputes

  • Try to solve the problem informally by talking to your neighbour
  • If you are a Housing Association tenant, contact your housing officer for advice and support
  • If your neighbour is harassing you or causing you alarm or distress, report this to our Safer Communities team or call 01752 668000.
  • If your neighbour’s behaviour is breaking the law, report this to the police on 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency). Non-emergency crime can be reported via the webchat or online reporting form on the Police website.

Harassment: this is when a person behaves in a way which is intended to cause you alarm or distress. Harassment must happen on more than one occasion.

  • It is a criminal offence and can be reported to the Police on 999 or 101 (non-emergency). To report non-emergency crime via the webchat or online reporting form on the Police website.
  • Crime can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via the Crime Stoppers website.

Hate Crime: these are any crimes where the perpetrator’s hostility is motivated wholly or partially by prejudice towards a person’s protected characteristic or perceived protected characteristic, of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Anti-social behaviour in public spaces: can be caused by an individual or a group. Examples include criminal damage, graffiti, intimidating or aggressive behaviour, verbal abuse and aggressive dogs.

  • Report to Devon and Cornwall Police on 999 or 101. Non-emergency crime can be reported via the webchat or online reporting form on the Police website.
  • Or report it to our Safer Communities team or call 01752 668000.

Vehicle Nuisance: 

  • Dangerous, erratic or anti-social driving can be reported to Devon and Cornwall Police on 999 or 101. Non-emergency crime can be reported via the webchat or online reporting form on Police website.

There are limits to the amount of noise that vehicles can make on public roads. It is illegal to modify the exhaust system to make a vehicle noisier. The police can also take action if a vehicle’s silencer doesn’t work the way it was designed or if a person is driving in a way that creates too much noise.

Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour

Plymouth has a city-wide Public Spaces Protection Order. This means it’s an offence for anyone to refuse to stop drinking alcohol or hand over cans or bottles believed to contain alcohol, when told to by a police officer or other authorised officer who believes this would help prevent further anti-social behaviour, public nuisance or disorder.

  • Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in public spaces can be reported to Devon and Cornwall Police on 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency)
  • You can also report non-emergency crime via the webchat or online reporting form on the Police website.