Haringey Council is reviewing its approach to anti-social behaviour (ASB) with a focus on fairness, transparency, and resident involvement. The draft Anti-Social Behaviour Policy and the Good Neighbourhood Management Policy were recently discussed.

The council aims to ensure residents are aware of the new policies and how to report ASB through communication channels including HomesZone magazine, the website and social media.

The draft Anti-Social Behaviour Policy aims to address ASB in a fair, reasonable, proportionate, and transparent way, putting residents at the heart of what the council does. The policy defines ASB as:

Conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person, or conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person's occupation of residential premises, or conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person.'

The policy distinguishes between personal, nuisance, and environmental ASB, and outlines how incidents should be reported to the police or the council. It also details the council's response to reports and confidentiality measures. The draft ASB Policy also lists several pieces of legislation in section 18, including the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Crime and Disorder Act 1998, Equality Act 2010, and the Housing Act 1996.

Specifically, the draft policy clarifies types of behaviour not normally considered ASB unless there is evidence of deliberate intent to cause damage, intimidation, or disturbance at unreasonable hours. These include:

  • Children playing in the street or communal areas
  • Young people gathering socially
  • Being unable to park outside your own home
  • Rough sleeping
  • A clash of lifestyles including cultural differences or different working patterns
  • A one-off party or event
  • General living noise

The draft Good Neighbourhood Management Policy, which applies to all Haringey Council tenants and leaseholders, was also discussed. According to the report pack, this policy outlines the council's commitments to managing council housing and estates in cases that do not meet the threshold for Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) intervention. It aims to ensure tenants and leaseholders have quiet enjoyment of their homes and a safe, clean, and secure environment.

The policy focuses on maintaining good neighbour relationships, reducing tensions, identifying practical solutions, and ensuring support is in place. It also emphasises that tenants and leaseholders are responsible for living considerately and addressing concerns through proactive communication and good neighbourly conduct. The Good Neighbourhood Management Policy outlines possible solutions for resolving disputes, such as providing advice and guidance, inviting parties to create solutions, referring parties to mediation, and exploring practical solutions like carpeting or soundproofing.