Anti-Social Behaviour - Our commitment

Coast and Countryside Housing Services is committed to working in partnership and communicating with our customers to develop quality services and improve performance. We recognise that effectively tackling harassment and other types of anti-social behaviour is an essential requirement of the high quality housing service we aim to provide.

Tackling anti-social behaviour effectively will also assist the Council in achieving its corporate vision to make Shepway Stronger, Smarter, and Safer, as described in the Shepway Plan 2004-5. The Council's three key priority areas for action are:

• Clean, Green and Safe
• Housing, and
• Regeneration

Our commitment to tackle anti-social behaviour is based upon the following principles:

• Everyone has the right to their chosen lifestyle providing this does not spoil the quality of life of others
• Neighbours must exercise a degree of tolerance of and respect for the lifestyle of those living around them
• The Council has a role as a social landlord in making sure that these rights and obligations are realised in individual cases

This means:

We will not tolerate any form of anti-social behaviour and will make this clear to all of our tenants, those that live with them and their visitors, and those wishing to be re-housed through the Shepway Housing List

We will respond to complaints of anti-social behaviour seriously, quickly, and professionally. Any complaint will be thoroughly investigated and the Council will attempt to resolve matters at the earliest opportunity.

We will provide support tailored to the needs of the people involved in each individual case. We will encourage victims of anti-social behaviour to play a full part in taking action against the perpetrators including legal action. The Council itself will also, where appropriate, take legal action against perpetrators and make every effort to support victims to remain in their homes. We recognise that the success of our policy will depend heavily upon the confidence that complainants and witnesses have in the Council to support them.

Our approach to anti-social behaviour is multi-agency. Wherever possible we seek to work with partners such as the Police, colleagues in the Crime Reduction Team and other partners from the Shepway Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.