Anti-Social Behaviour Policy to be discussed by Executive Members next week
Community safety02 September 2025
North Northamptonshire Council's Executive Members will consider a revised and robust Anti-Social Behaviour Policy at their monthly meeting next week at Corby Cube.
It is widely acknowledged that Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) can affect people’s lives and wellbeing in varying ways. It can range from small disagreements between two neighbours, up to more serious incidents involving violence and aggression.
The introduction of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act in 2014 increased the powers of local authorities and the police to tackle ASB promptly and work in partnership to stop incidents and cases escalating. These changes were, in part, motivated by a tragedy in Leicestershire in 2007 where a victim of ASB took her own life and her daughter’s by setting fire to her car.
This Council utilises ASB powers across multiple service areas: safer communities, housing landlord services, waste services, environmental protection, and planning enforcement.
Prior to establishment of North Northamptonshire Council, the former sovereign district and borough councils had ASB policies and service standards in place. The development of this fresh ASB policy for North Northamptonshire Council has been informed by those earlier policies, alongside the current arrangements. It will ensure the Council applies consistent approaches to tackling ASB, including investigating and responding to complaints and how they use the powers available under the Act.
The tools for tackling anti social behaviour are intended to focus the response on the needs of the victims, empower communities to engage in tackling it, ensure professionals can protect the public quickly and focus on long term solutions to this persistent behaviour. The proposed policy reflects how North Northamptonshire Council will practically do this. Everyone has the right to live without the fear of facing anti-social behaviour. To leave their home without dreading intimidation from neighbours, visit their local high street free of disorder and drug taking, take the train or bus to work without fear of abuse, and walk down a pavement clear of dog mess and litter.Councillor Gregory Wilcox, Executive Member for Communities at North Northamptonshire Council
It is critical that we have, and demonstrate that we have, a consistent approach to tackling ASB. This covers how we respond to and investigate complaints and incidents, the things we can investigate and act on, and the things we do not consider as ASB. We recognise in this policy where individual service areas must consider other primary legislation or statutory powers when dealing with ASB cases.
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) can have a detrimental effect on people’s day to day life including impacting their mental health and wellbeing as well as their physical health. If not tackled early, things can escalate and create much more serious problems. This is a policy with safety, security and a basic respect for others at its heart. It is about restoring the right of people across the country to feel safe in, and proud of belonging to, their local area.
Following its approval, if endorsed at the meeting, and as part of its implementation, North Northamptonshire Council will keep the policy under review to ensure it aligns with any legislative changes, or updates in professional guidance.
It is proposed that once approved and adopted, work is done with a wider stakeholder group such as housing tenants, community groups and those with protected characteristics to develop more accessible versions of the policy. The policy will be reviewed annually or in respect of any legislative changes or guidance practice implemented across the county.
The Executive Members will meet at 10am on Tuesday 9 September at Corby Cube. The full policy can be viewed on Page 239 of the Agenda reports pack.