Environmental Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Policy

 1. Introduction

North Tyneside Council is committed to maintaining a clean and safe environment for the benefit of everyone across the Borough, promoting fairness, economic growth and community safety.  This commitment recognises our responsibility to keep the streets and local environment safe and clear of litter obstructions and deal with other local environmental quality issues. Anti-social behaviour (ASB) and environmental crime such as the presence of dumped waste, litter, dog fouling, graffiti impacts residents, affecting their quality of life, fear of their safety and contribute to perceptions and fear of crime. 

This policy highlights the North Tyneside Council’s responsibility to maintain a clean and safe environment for all but recognises that this cannot be achieved without the support of the local community and the need for people to take personal responsibility for their actions.   Along with all other local authorities in England, the Authority has powers to enable enforcement of legislation intended to protect both the individual and the community. The enforcement function plays a vital role in maintaining a clean and safe environment by providing information and advice to individuals regarding the law, regulations and duties. It also, as a last resort, takes enforcement action to challenge ASB and to ensure that those individuals and businesses that spoil the environment for others are made accountable for their actions.  

This document sets out the Authority’s approach to investigating and managing ASB and environmental related enforcement matters. It lets the public know what to expect when environmental crime or ASB contraventions are found and where resources will be targeted. 

The Housing and Property Service Domestic Abuse Policy is a stand-alone policy, setting out how the service will assist and support any person experiencing or is being threatened with domestic abuse.  It aligns with policy aligns with The North Tyneside Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024 - 2027  and priorities.

2. Defining Environmental Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

  • Defining anti-social behaviour:  

The Authority has adopted the Home Office definition of ASB which is also widely used by Community Safety Partnerships. 

It defines ASB as follows: 

‘Beaviour by a person which causes, or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as the person’

  • Defining Environmental crime: 

We are committed to promoting a clean, green and safe environment so that all residents can live peacefully in the community. 

The following are examples of environmental crimes; (list is not exhaustive) 

Dog Fouling 

Litter 

Fly Tipping 

Damaging Trees 

Abandoned Cars 

Graffiti

3. Our Aims and Approach

The Our North Tyneside Plan sets out the Authority’s ambitions for making North Tyneside an even greater place to live, work and visit.  A new Council Plan 2025-2029 is being developed and will be based on the following five policy priorities: -

  1. Working with local people and organisations for a healthier, fairer and better quality of life; 
  2. Giving our children and young people the best start in life;
  3. Building neighbourhoods and town centres that are clean, green and safe, and places to be proud of; 
  4. Increasing jobs, skills and work experience opportunities; and
  5. Delivering more affordable and social housing.

This policy feeds into the key themes and provides guidance to officers, businesses, residents and the wider public on a range of options that are available to achieve compliance with the plan and all legalisation enforced by the Authority. 

In providing the framework principles of enforcement in respect of all powers available to the Authority, this ensures that any enforcement action is clear, concise, transparent, accountable, proportionate, consistent and targeted; to ensure a responsive, effective and value-added service.  

The Authority will have the ability to enforce as appropriate in line with the relevant enforcement legislation. 

4. Objectives

The Environmental Crime and ASB enforcement policy addresses 

low-level environmental crime and ASB offences that can be dealt with by officers across all designated service areas within the Authority.  

To provide a cost-effective and timely enforcement service that reduces the burden on the courts and reduces the time between the offence and the penalty.  

Section 218A of the Housing Act 1996, as introduced by Part 2 (s)12 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 requires social housing providers to prepare a policy and procedure on ASB and publish a summary of them. 

In addition to this, the housing regulator outlines specific requirements relating to ASB and hate incidents in the Neighbourhood and Community Standard: 

Registered providers must work in partnership with appropriate local authority departments, the police and other relevant organisations to deter and tackle ASB and hate incidents in the neighbourhoods where they provide social housing.

Registered providers must: 

  • Have a policy on how they work with relevant organisations to deter and tackle ASB in the neighbourhoods where they provide social housing
  • Clearly set out their approach for how they deter

and tackle hate incidents in neighbourhoods where they provide social housing

  • Enable ASB and hate incidents to be reported easily and keep tenants informed about the progress of their case
  • Support tenants who are affected by ASB and hate incidents, including by signposting them to agencies who can give them

    appropriate support and assistance

              4.1 North Tyneside Council tenancy agreement states:

You, or anyone living with you or visiting your home, must not do anything that causes or is likely to cause a nuisance, annoyance or disturbance to anyone living, visiting or working in the area. ASB includes among other things:

  • Playing loud music or making other loud noises
  • Shouting or persistent arguing
  • Drug and alcohol abuse
  • Being drunk or disorderly in public
  • Offensive behaviour
  • Hate crime
  • Not keeping pets under control
  • Allowing your dog to bark excessively
  • Dumping rubbish, fly tipping or lighting fires 
  • Allowing rubbish to build up in or around your home

5. Managing Risk

To ensure the Authority delivers a tailored ASB service specific to victim’s needs, a risk assessment will be offered and completed based on individual and personal circumstances. 

The Authority may share information with relevant parties and speak to external agencies about the assessment outcomes.  The Authority will instigate appropriate referrals where necessary. This will be done in line with our data sharing protocol and where possible agreed with the victim first.  

The assessment will take into consideration the impact of the ASB on all household members including children. 

6. Key Legislation 

The main legislation and guidance to which this policy relates but not exclusively so, is:

  • The Offences (Fixed Penalties) (England) Regulations 2017  
  • The Littering from Vehicles Outside London (Keepers: Civil Penalties) Regulations 2018 
  • Dog Fouling of Land Act 1996 
  • Local Government Act 1972  
  • Human Rights Act 1998 
  • Data Protection Act 1998 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) effective from 25.05.2018  
  • Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (CNEA)
    • Section 3, 4 and 6 (Nuisance Parking) 
    • Section 10 (Abandoned Vehicles) 
    • Sections 19, 22 and 24 (Litter & Refuse)
    • Sections 28 to 30 (Graffiti & Fly Posting)  
    • Sections 38, 45, 48 and 52 (Transport of Waste) 
    • Sections 46, 47 and 47ZA (Receptacles for household & Commercial Waste)  
    • Sections 55 and 59 (Dog Control Orders – until 2017) 
    • Sections 73 to 76 (Audible Intruder Alarms) 
    • Sections 82 to 85 (Noise from Premises)  
    • Sections 96 to 98 (Use of Fixed Penalty Receipts)  
  • Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA)  
    • Sections 34A (2),46A - D 47ZA and B, 88(1), 94A, and Schedule 3A Paragraph 7, 33, 87, 71, 80, 59, 92a, 94  
  • Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (ASBA), Section 43  
  • Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 (RD(A)A, Section 2(A)  
  • Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 (CP(A)A), Section 5B  
  • Health Act 2006 (HA), Section 9  
  • The Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2006 and 2007  
  • The Environmental Offences (Use of Fixed Penalty Receipts) Regulations 2006 and 2007  
  • The Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (Miscellaneous Provisions) 

(Amendment) Regulations 2012  

  • Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Anti-social behaviour guidance for professionals March 2023 
  • Deregulation Act 2015 Section 58 and Schedule 12 
  • The unauthorised Deposit of Waste (Fixed Penalties) Regulations 2016 
  • Control of Horses Act 2015 
  • PACE 
  • Animal Health Act 1981 Section 13 
  • The Control of Dogs Order 1992 
  • The Environment Act 1995 Section 108 
  • The Waste (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 
  • The Control of Waste (dealing with seized property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 
  • The Housing Act 1985
  • Regulator of Social Housing Consumer Standards and Code of Practice

7. Enforcement Policy  

The Authority has a central statement of enforcement which underpins all investigations undertaken by the Authority under statutory regulatory services or non-statutory enforcement functions and prosecution proceedings throughout the Authority.  

All officers when taking enforcement decisions will abide by this Statement of Enforcement Policy and, where appropriate, will have regard to any specific policies or procedures for a service area.   This ‘umbrella’ policy is a far-reaching document with implications upon large areas of the Authority’s work, such as parking enforcement, planning enforcement and enforcement linked to environmental health. 

8. Shared Enforcement

Colleagues within the Authority work in partnership with each other and enforcement agencies with a shared enforcement role under legislation, (such as the Police, Environment Agency, Housing Associations) and other central and local government Authority’s and agencies.  

The Authority is committed to partnership working to address community and public safety, crime and disorder and environmental crime issues affecting our communities. Where appropriate, we will liaise with other internal departments and partners, or through any linked partnership frameworks to ensure consistency and communication in enforcement action.  

Where appropriate, enforcement matters may be referred to another body or agency. In these circumstances, officers will advise the complainant and perpetrator of what we are doing and that this will not affect subsequent enforcement action by The Authority or other agency.  

As part of future growth within enforcement, subsequent consideration will be given to delegate enforcement powers where appropriate. This will only be done following consultation with partners and after the provision of adequate training.  Powers will not be granted without sufficient safeguarding and risk assessments being put into place. 

9. Delegated Authority 

The Authority’s responsible Officer, as set out in The Authority’s Scheme of Delegation will authorise officers in writing, specifying the limits of their authorisation.  Persons other than Council employees may also be authorised, where it is legally permissible to do so, and the responsible officer considers that The Authority’s objectives, policies and procedures will be applied.   

10. Enforcement Approach   

The Authority understand that incidents of ASB and environmental crime can happen at any time and that there is a need to ensure staff are approachable, responsible and accessible.  It is important that reporting incidents is as easy as possible for our customers.  Each case will be investigated according to the individual circumstances, and the enforcement approach will be tailored according to the risk involved and, in all cases, we would look at proportionality. Reports can be made to The Authority through several different ways including: 

We encourage customers to provide us with their details so that the appropriate support, updates and feedback can be provided. We look to understand the problems that you are experiencing and feel that direct communication helps us with this. Information that you provide will not be disclosed to any other person without discussing this with you first. We will respect any requests to remain anonymous, and a complaint received anonymously will not be ignored. However, this may limit the investigation or actions that we can take. It is difficult to take action against a tenancy solely on an anonymous complaint. All anonymous reports will be recorded when they are received. We will make reasonable 10 attempts to substantiate the report, for example by carrying out letter drops and speaking to local policing teams where appropriate.

The Authority is committed to thoroughly investigating all complaints of ASB neighbour nuisance and environmental crime. The Authority will implement appropriate, responsive and proportionate action against those who commit ASB and nuisance whether it is being caused by them, their family, household members and visitors. 

Victims, witnesses, staff and any other agencies involved will be supported and kept up to date and informed of progress or lack of progress in a case.  

The Authority will not rehouse victims, witnesses or perpetrators involved in an active ASB case to resolve a dispute (except in exceptional circumstances). 

Where applicable, residents are always expected to abide by the terms of their tenancy agreement or their lease agreement.   If a case of ASB is reported that relates to a tenant or leaseholder, the tenancy agreement/lease will be checked to establish if a condition or conditions have been breached and appropriate, proportionate enforcement action taken. 

The Authority will work with owner occupiers and private landlords and other providers, in partnership with other agencies to manage concerns surrounding ASB.

The Authority recognise that it is important to understand the underlying causes of unacceptable behaviour of individuals.  The Authority will challenge this behaviour and will offer support to perpetrators offering a chance for individuals to change. 

We may use evidence from sound equipment, body cameras, CCTV, cameras and photographic equipment, the Police and professional witnesses to enable enforcement action to be taken against persons responsible for crime or ASB.   

The Authority is committed to eliminating all forms of hate crime and harassment and domestic abuse. These reports are taken very seriously and will be investigated under The Authority policies relating to those specific matters. 

Officers will work towards set timescales for resolving a complaint however timescales may not always be met due to circumstances such as delays in court proceedings, evidence gathering or other factors.  Officers will look to close cases when they have been fully investigated and where possible in agreement with the victim.   

The Authority believes that it is important to inform victims, witnesses and the community of the actions which have been taken to tackle ASB. We also believe that if people feel confident that ASB is being tackled people will feel safer to go about their daily lives without fear. 

We will publicise appropriate cases, although the scope and detail of any publicity will always be considered on a case-by-case basis and in line with Data Protection.  

Every case must be dealt with individually and the response will be tailored to specific needs and circumstances.  

We may not consider it necessary to classify everything that is reported as ASB, it may be that these reports are everyday living noise or minor differences in lifestyle rather than ASB. Therefore, these reports will not be investigated under the ASB policy or procedures. Examples include: 

  • DIY during reasonable hours 
  • Mowing the lawn 
  • Children playing  

We will not take action against children playing in and around their homes.  Unless the children playing are engaged in verbal abuse, criminal damage or serious nuisance. 

When we receive a report of neighbour nuisance or ASB, staff will, as part of every investigation always try to contact the complainant to find out as much information as we can. It is vital that victims work with officers to help us resolve the concerns to be resolved. 

We may request that victims and witnesses provide statements and attend court. Staff will support victims and witnesses in this process.  

Tenants and leaseholders have a responsibility to ensure they do not make malicious complaints about their neighbours, visitors or anyone engaged in lawful activity around their property.  Malicious complaints can have a detrimental effect on our housing management function.  The Authority takes malicious complaints very seriously and we will take appropriate action against anyone found doing so.  

ASB towards our staff and contractors will not be tolerated.  All staff have an obligation to report any incident of ASB.  

In making an enforcement decision, officers will consider the following in line with the Corporate Enforcement Policy:  

  • Seriousness and prevalence of offence 
  • The quality of available evidence and probability of the enforcement action under consideration being successful 
  • The perpetrator’s history and likelihood of re-offending  
  • The likely effectiveness of the deterrent that successful enforcement action would achieve 
  • The impact on the community, and victims connected 

11.  Enforcement Actions Available 

 11.1 Advice  

Advice on how to comply with the law, statutory requirements and Council policy, typically following a request for advice, a programmed inspection or complaint.  Advice can also include referrals to support services such as Advocacy and Citizen Advice Bureau. 

11.2 Mediation

To ensure that matters do not escalate, we may refer parties to

mediation, provide advice and guidance or make any necessary referrals,

however, taking these actions will be done outside of this policy and with the objective of fostering good relationships.

11.3 Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)  

 In October 2017 the Authority introduced Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in the Borough.  This followed a public consultation exercise that took place over during summer 2017. 

The PSPOs relate to the priorities of the Our North Tyneside Plan for a secure North Tyneside: 

  • Council Wardens will in partnership with Northumbria Police to prevent and tackle all forms of ASB.

PSPOs are designed to tackle activities that have had, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of local communities. The power to make PSPOs has been brought about by new ASB legislation. 

PSPOs are renewed every three years.  Since the implementation in 2017, the PSPO orders have been reviewed and extended in 2020, and a further three-year extension was implemented in October 2023 following a consultation exercise in which the views of the public and statutory consultees was sought.  This consultation showed support for the extension. 

Our existing PSPOs relate to dog control and the consumption of alcohol in public spaces across the Borough.  

It is a criminal offence, without reasonable excuse, to breach the terms of a PSPO and prosecution of the offender could happen.   

As an alternative to prosecution, a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) can be issued.  In that instance, a person served with an FPN will have 21 days to pay the fixed penalty of £100. If the FPN is paid within 14 days, the fixed penalty will be reduced to £75. 

11.4 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN)  

 The Authority uses Fixed Penalties to tackle: 

  • Irresponsible use of Alcohol in a public space  
  • Dog controls, such as dog fouling, dog restriction zones and dogs on leads 
  • Littering  
  • Fly Tipping  

11.5 Civil Injunctions  

The injunction under Part 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is a civil power to deal with anti-social individuals. The injunction can offer fast and effective protection for victims and communities and set a clear standard of behaviour for perpetrators, stopping the person’s behaviour from escalating.  

Although the injunction is a civil power, it is a formal sanction and in appropriate cases professionals will want to consider whether an informal approach might be preferable before resorting to court action, especially in the case of under 18's. However, where informal approaches have not worked or professionals decide that a formal response is needed, they are free to apply to the court for a civil injunction. 

11.6 Warning Letter-Community Protection Warning (CPW)  

Warning that recurrence or continuation of an infringement will result in legal action.  These are voluntary and non- compliance has no direct legal penalty.  

11.7 Community Protection Notice (CPN)  

The CPN is an enforcement tool that can be used by The Authority or the Police to deal with problems of reported ASB. It is a statutory notice that can be served by enforcement agencies with requirements to stop things, do things or take reasonable steps to avoid further ASB.  

A CPN can be served on any person aged 16 or over, or a body, including a business.  

The use of a CPN is a discretionary power. To issue a notice the enforcing agency must be satisfied that the following tests are met and the behaviour in question must be:  

  • Having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality   
  • Persistent or continuing in nature  
  • Unreasonable 

Before issuing a notice, the relevant agency must first issue a written warning stating what the alleged ASB is and give a reasonable time for it to stop.  If a CPN is not complied with The Authority and the Police have the following enforcement options:  

  • Issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN); Maximum penalty £100 although there is discretion on setting the amount charged and possibly to set a lower charge if the FPN is paid early in a similar way to the other FPN notices issued. If this is accepted and paid, then this discharges the liability for prosecution 
  • Bring a prosecution (except where an FPN is issued and paid)  
  • Carry out remedial works (on land open to the air). This option is not available to Police  

The Police can use these notices for anti-social matters that come to their attention. Within the Authority, these powers are most likely to be used by officers to deal with matters that are currently already reported to them, but for which existing legislative controls are not either appropriate or proportionate. For example:  

  • Rubbish in gardens, including North Tyneside Council tenants
  • Low level noise (which does not fall within the definition of statutory nuisance) 
  • Bonfires  
  • Litter  
  • Persistent straying dogs  

It is possible for local Authority’s to delegate power to issue CPN’s to others, for example social landlords, although this part of the legislation is not yet enabled. Further consideration of this option is needed.    

11.8 Closure Notice and Closure Order  

A Closure Notice relates to any premises regardless of whether it is council or privately owned. The Notice lasting up to 48 hours can be issued by the Police or Local Authority in consultation with Law and Governance (the Authority’s in-house legal service). 

If such a Notice is to be issued, it will be because there is or likely to be:  

  • Nuisance to the Public, or,  
  • Disorder near the premises 

Thereafter a Closure Order of up to 3 months can be applied for in the Magistrates Court. 

11.9 Prosecution  

We will look to use court prosecutions for non-payment of Fixed Penalty Notices. 

11.10 Possession (this refers to social housing only) 

Possession of a property (eviction) is something the Authority will look to use where it is proportionate and reasonable and where all other action has failed to stop the ASB.  

These orders are only granted by the courts.   

11.11 Absolute Ground for Possession (this refers to social housing only for NTC) 

This is a tool to possess and secure assured tenancies where ASB or criminality has already been proven in court or the tenant’s property has been closed for more than 48hrs under a Closure Order. Social Landlords are most likely to be the users of this tool but is available to any landlords.  

11.12 Demotion of Tenancy (this refers to social housing only for NTC)

The Authority can apply to the court for a tenancy to be demoted where a tenant, member of their family or visitor has been involved in ASB. This will result in the tenant losing some of the key rights of a Secure Tenancy such as Right to Buy, Mutual Exchange and transfer of tenancy. 

11.13 Dispersal Power  

The Police now have the power with an Inspector’s authorisation to remove a person or persons likely to commit or are committing ASB, crime or disorder from an area for up to 48 hours. This tool carries the power to confiscate items used, or likely to contribute to the behaviour. This is a Police power which could lead to a request for a Public Spaces Protection Order in problem areas to deal with specific issues. 

11.14 Acceptable Behaviour Contracts  

These can be applied for when a person has been convicted of a criminal offence and has engaged in behaviour that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress, and the court believes that making the order will help prevent the offender from engaging in such behaviour.  

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts can only be applied for by the Police however this will be in consultation with North Tyneside Council. 

11.15 Community Remedy  

This gives victims a say in the out-of-court punishment of perpetrators for the low-level crime and ASB. The Police will use this (restorative justice) to deliver a conclusion that a victim has agreed to. The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is responsible for setting the criteria, developing the documentation for the Police and possibly others to use.  

11.16 Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review

The Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review gives victims and communities the right to a review of actions undertaken by agencies, where there is an ongoing problem of reported ASB but feel it has not been resolved appropriately. Anyone can request a review via the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, If the following criteria are met an independent review will be actioned;  

  • Victim has reported a minimum of 3 incidents of ASB within a six-month period 
  • The victim feels that at least one of these incidents has not been dealt with adequately  
  • None of the incidents are on-going 

Any individual or group from the same community can ask for an Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review to be actioned. 

12. Our Commitment 

12.1 Prevent and deter 

 We will: 

  • Support the development and delivery of pre-tenancy training ensuring that new tenants are aware of their responsibilities in terms of crime and antisocial behaviour (social housing only). 
  • Maximise partnership opportunities to provide diversionary activities aimed at preventing crime and ASB and encouraging responsible citizenship, particularly for young people.  
  • Promote mutual respect, an awareness of the needs of others, and a sense of civic pride. 
  • Build on our success with partners to reduce the opportunities for crime and ASB including the use of CCTV, hot spot analysis and response and identification of emerging trends. 
  • Promote positive outcomes and make sure individuals and communities are re-assured by our actions.  Increase public confidence in our services through effective communication messages and campaigns that use effective methods of communication. 
  • Strengthen our communications plan to increase confidence in our service, improve the perception of ASB in our communities and reduce stigma through effective communication messages. We will also ensure that it includes hard to reach communities. 
  • Increase the opportunities for joined up partnership community safety communications messages. 
  • Explore how we can work with the Probation Service and prisons to reduce re-offending in our communities. 

12.2 Intervene swiftly  

We recognise that crime and ASB undermines the quality of life for individuals, families and communities and we are committed to the provision of a victim centred approach to ASB ensuring victims are at the heart of our service and are able to access high quality advice, victim care and support. 

We will not hesitate to take enforcement action when necessary and we will continue to ensure that our response is robust and effective using all the tools and powers available to us, targeted to serious and persistent incidents of ASB and criminality that can blight our communities if left unchallenged. 

We will: 

  • Deliver a victim centred approach to case management which focuses on the harm and impact an incident of crime or ASB has on victim(s). We carry out Equality Impact Assessments as part of the pre court protocols. 
  • Provide high quality victim care and support, making sure that victims have confidence in our service and are kept regularly informed about the progress and outcome of their case. All victims who report ASB will be provided with a named officer who will be responsible for investigating their reports. We will create a shared action plan for both the investigating officer and the victim on the case. We will regularly review the case with victims to ensure you are kept up to date with progress, amending action plans throughout the process if needed. 
  • Provide additional support to victims who are vulnerable or repeat victims of ASB or hate crime. 
  • Ensure our response to tackling noise nuisance is robust and victim focused and that the appropriate tools and guidance is available to effectively tackle neighbour noise nuisance with confidence. 
  • Drive high levels of customer satisfaction and listen to feedback about us and our services. 
  • Make swift and effective use of ASB tools and powers by working in partnership with Community Protection to deliver enforcement interventions, make sure that the services provided by Community Protection meet the needs of our residents and communities. 
  • Ensure our workforce has the skills and knowledge required to deliver an effective victim centred ASB service. 
  • Work closely with our colleagues in Risk Management to ensure any health and safety risks are mitigated and that robust procedures are followed for reporting and dealing with violent incidents that affect our employees. 
  • Offer support through our volunteer victim support officers and dedicated victim support officer. 
  • Drive confidence in our service by reviewing and publicising the minimum standards people can expect if they become a victim of ASB. 

12.3 Positive partnerships  

  • Work with Community Protection and Police to take swift and effective enforcement action utilising the tools and powers available across the partnership. 
  • Work in partnership with the Fire and Rescue Service to prevent and remove opportunities for arson to occur, educate residents on home safety and provide interventions to remove or prevent the development of fire setting behaviour. 
  • The Community Protection Team and the Environmental Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Policy contribute to the Safer North Tyneside Partnership and Strategy, in terms of influencing and shaping borough wide priorities, in collaboration with agencies.  
  • Use a multi-agency problem solving approach, based on people, places and premises to develop local solutions to ASB, crime and community safety issues. 
  • Continue to work with our colleagues within Adult and Children’s services to support families with complex and multiple needs. 
  • Participate in partnership ASB Case Reviews where victims have activated the ASB Case Review where they feel their reports of ASB have not received an appropriate response. 
  • Continue to strengthen our links to probation services to provide better support to ex-offenders and to prevent the cycle of re-offending. 
  • Strengthen our links with the voluntary sector organisations that contribute to the community safety agenda, from victim and witness support to supporting perpetrators of ASB to change their behaviour.     

12.4 Make a stand  

We are committed to making a stand against serious and violent crime, drugs, domestic abuse and hate crime within our communities in partnership with the Police.  

We remain committed to challenging and tackling the effects that drug use, drug dealing, gang culture, youth violence and serious and organised crime can have on our communities. We will continue to take the toughest possible stance against drug offences and violent crime, including knife crime on our estates. 

We will: 

  • Work in partnership with Northumbria Police, to take the toughest enforcement action against perpetrators of drug, violence and knife crime related tenancy breaches. 
  • Take robust tenancy enforcement action against cannabis cultivation in our homes and communities. 
  • Work with Police to tackle and respond to knife crime and serious violent crime in our communities. 
  • Support residents to report concerns about drug use and dealing to the Police in order to support the Police to build intelligence to take action to disrupt the supply and use of illegal drugs. 
  • Work with partners to strengthen our approach to protect vulnerable adults, tackle modern-day slavery, FGM, victims of scams and cybercrime, adults with mental health issues, homelessness and victims of serious violence. 
  • Work with partners to protect vulnerable children, victims of criminal exploitation, gangs, County Lines, crimes involving weapons, child sexual exploitation and those with mental health issues. 
  • Strengthen our relationship with the Police Burglary Reduction Team to make sure our properties are safe and secure, and victims of burglary supported. 

12.5 Hate Crime  

Whilst the Authority have a stand-alone policy for this matter, we will continue to ensure that: 

  • We offer an enhanced level of support to victims of hate crime and working with partners, take the toughest action against perpetrators of hate crime.  Including North Tyneside Council tenants, whereby we would seek to take action under the Tenancy Agreement
  • Raise awareness and increase reporting of hate crime and make clear that hate crime, mate crime, harassment and bullying in all forms, including cyber bullying is not acceptable and encourage responsible use of social media. 
  • Develop innovative approaches to prevention of hate crime incidents and raise confidence in the services provided. 

13.  Equality and Diversity  

The Authority is working to achieve the equality aims of the 2010 Equality Act. 

We aim to: 

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, victimisation and harassment   
  • Advance equality of opportunity  
  • Foster good relations 

We are working to: 

  • Minimise disadvantage 
  • Take steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups 

Encourage those from protected groups to take part where their Participation is proportionately low 

 In addition, in order to fulfil the Public Sector Equality Duty, we have published: 

  • Appropriate and proportionate information through our equality review documents  
  • Our equality objectives 

We publish information, data and intelligence on equality and diversity in North Tyneside in our Datastore. 

We also carry out Equality Impact Assessments on proposals to assess their potential impact on people with different characteristics. 

14.  Monitoring and Review of the Policy

This policy shall be monitored to determine its effectiveness, delivery objectives and if the policy aims are achieved. 

This policy will be reviewed every three years, or sooner to reflect any legislative changes or changes to Council strategy or policy.  

This policy shall be published on our website, allowing members of the public and businesses to have the opportunity to view the policy.