Antisocial behaviour

What can I do?

If you are in a role where you represent your community someone may come to you about ASB or similar problems. Here are some options to consider:

• At the time of an incident consider whether call the police.
  The police are the only 24/7 service so in an emergency always use 999 or 101 in an non emergency (https://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/). (external link)

However we want to prevent problematic behaviour so waiting until it needs formal police intervention is a bit late for this.

• Pass it on. 
  • The only way to guarantee agencies and appropriate staff are aware is if you contact them yourself.
  • In fact if you don’t pass it on its 50% less likely that the information will get passed on to the right person this time.
  • Statistics can say for some types of problems as few as 1 in 20 incidents get reported. So its important to make sure concerns are passed on when we know about them.
     
• Informal advice and support. 
  • Especially around community issues can be provided by Relationship Scotland Shetland.
  • They can be contacted by phone or email. ( 01595 743 859,  relationshipsscotland@shetland.org)
     
• Formal advice and support.
  This can be provided by
  • ASB Coordinator.
  • A residents landlord when it is an issue around where they live.
  • If the issue is more around behaviour in public areas not near their home then the ASB coordinator or Police Scotland are the best first points of contact.

No one wants to make a complaint but everyone wants to live a peaceful life and if there is a problem to resolve then all the above advice is free of charge.

Whether a complaint is made or not we may be able to help resolve the problem so it is important to pass information on as early as possible.

ASB Strategy

There are ways we can all work together to tackle current problems or prevent future problems and inrelation to the ASB strategy there are three areas to highlight from page 5 & 6 of the ASB Strategy.

• Better Communication

  • Those affected by ASB feel more able to contribute to the resolution of their case and accept more support services and informal resolutions.
  • New areas for support identified.
  • Community Councillors have a better understanding of the range of services available to prevent ASB & related problems.
     
• Impact on Isolation
  • Allowed people to access online support and services. Living Well Hubs etc..
  • Providing safe spaces, community connections and skills by linking young people through community activities. Again, like living well hubs as well as targeted groups.
     
• Impact on Anxiety & Fear by
  • Give the community resources to come up with its own solutions and be more resilient.
  • Give individuals the knowledge, confidence and practise to safely challenge inappropriate behaviour.