Community and living

What is antisocial behaviour?

Antisocial behaviour can be broadly defined as behaviour which is capable of causing harassment, distress or alarm to other people, including noise nuisance from a neighbour, graffiti and damage to property. Anti-social behaviour can include:

• graffiti;
• dumped rubbish;
• abandoned cars;
• verbal or racial abuse; 
• drug dealing or misuse; 
• vandalism; 
• act improperly whilst at school; 
• act in a manner that causes harassment, distress or alarm to others on public transport; 
• engage in vehicle crime; 
• engage in threatening behaviour in large groups.

Who should I contact?

If you see anyone committing the acts described above, you should contact the police or the relevant housing association in the first instance. If the incident is happening and you require an emergency response, always call 999.

For incidents that do not require an emergency response call the Metropolitan police on 0300 123 1212.

Alternatively, contact details for police Safer Neighbourhood teams in Croydon can be found on the associated link on the right.

If you have been affected by anti-social behaviour, you can also contact the council’s antisocial behaviour team, details are at the bottom of this page. We work closely with the police and housing associations and we will give advice and take action when appropriate.

What can they do to help?

The police, councils and housing associations have a wide range of tools to help them tackle antisocial behaviour in your local community. We can serve an acceptable behaviour agreement on an individual to get them to change their behaviour – these have a 90 per cent success rate in Croydon - or in some cases an anti social behaviour order (ASBO). Breaching an ASBO is a criminal offence. We can also apply to the courts for closure orders and possession orders for properties where there has been drug dealing or misuse.

What should you do if you are troubled by antisocial behaviour?

Keep a diary of the events that you witness. Detail as much information about the incidents and people involved as possible, including dates, times and the effect the behaviour had on you. If your neighbours are experiencing similar behaviour, encourage them to report incidents also and, importantly, to keep a diary of events. Report what you see to the council's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit or the police.

Contact Details

Contact name

Antisocial Behaviour Team

Telephone

020 726 6000

Fax

020 760 5630

Email

ASBTeam@croydon.gov.uk

Address

ASB Team
Room 2.07
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon
CR9 3JS