Anti-social behaviour

There are different things we can and cannot do to help tackle anti-social behaviour in South Tyneside.

Informal action

Except in very serious or exceptional cases, the aim of our initial intervention is to stop the problem behaviour through informal action.

The interventions we use change depending on the type of anti-social behaviour.

Informal early intervention tools might include:

• mediation
• warnings
• acceptable behaviour agreements
• good neighbour agreements
• parenting contract agreements
• referral to support services
• education within schools

Formal action

If early intervention through informal action and preventative measures are not successful in resolving issues, then proportionate enforcement actions will be considered.

Formal actions may include:

• community protection warnings
• community protection notices
• criminal behaviour orders
• noise abatement notices and orders
• injunctions
• notice of possession proceedings
• demotion orders
• possession proceedings and evictions
• closure notices and orders
• parenting orders

What we're not able to do

We can't take action on the following:

• children playing in the street or communal areas
• young people gathering socially unless they are being intimidating
• being able to park outside your own home
• parking related issues on the road or shared access drive
• DIY and car repairs unless they are taking place late at night
• disputes between neighbours (e.g. boundary disputes or parking disputes)
• reasonable day to day noise (e.g. babies crying, children within a household, appliance noise, doors closing)
• one-off parties and barbeques 
• giving dirty looks or stares
• unpleasant or inconsiderate behaviours
• reasonable actions that are part of everyday activities
• name calling and social media disputes, unless they are considered as harassment 
• reasonable levels of disturbance that can be reasonably expected

We can't:

• guarantee the outcome of any action
• provide alternative accommodation (except in very serious circumstances)
• keep a case open when no further action can be taken