Reporting antisocial behaviour (ASB) and crime

We expect all residents to be good neighbours and for all residents to feel safe in their homes. However, we recognise that sometimes this is not the case.

We take reports of ASB very seriously and will work with you and other agencies to investigate reports and support complainants and witnesses and where appropriate take action to stop problem behaviour.

Common types of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) include harassment, threatening behaviour, drug dealing, repeated loud music, domestic abuse and hate crime.

There are other issues that we would not consider to be anti-social behaviour and may offer advice, ask residents to resolve themselves or take no further action, such as a one off party, noise from children playing, cooking smells or sounds from everyday living such as walking up and down stairs.

Please complete the form below to report any incidents of ASB. We will acknowledge your report and then respond within 10 working days or 2 working days for serious ASB, including all cases of hate crime and domestic abuse.

Loud music / Noise

South Lakes Housing would consider this as antisocial behaviour if the noise is persistent.

Persistent means the disturbance is repetitive over continuous periods and is more than a one-off incident.

If you feel safe to do so, speak to your neighbour to let them know how their activities or behaviour is affecting you. They might not be aware they are disturbing you and likely to appreciate you letting them know.

How to Report

South Lakes Housing investigates reports of noise nuisance over a 2-week period. During this time please continue to report any incidents of nuisance you are experiencing through the online reporting form at the bottom of this page or via The Noise App. All incidents reported will be attached to an ASB case as evidence.

Once the initial 2-week period is complete a review of the case will be carried out by our Neighbourhood Team to decide what is the best course of action to take. We will keep you informed of the outcome.

 

Children playing or crying

Children Playing

South Lakes Housing would not consider this as antisocial behaviour.

Play is an essential part of every child’s life and is vital for the enjoyment of childhood as well as their health, well-being and development.

Some types of behaviour can be of concern, children playing in the street or communal areas (unless they are causing damage) is not considered to be antisocial behaviour.

Children Crying

South Lakes Housing would not consider this as antisocial behaviour.

If you have concerns about the welfare of a child please contact your local authority for help and support:

Westmorland & Furness Council,

Lancaster City Council,

North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Pet nuisance

Dog Barking

South Lakes Housing would consider this as antisocial behaviour if the barking is persistent.

Persistent means the disturbance is repetitive over continuous periods and is more than a one-off incident.

If you feel safe to do so, speak to your neighbour to let them know how their pet’s activities or behaviour is affecting you. They might not be aware they are disturbing you and likely to appreciate you letting them know.

Dog Fouling

Do speak to your neighbour to make them aware of their responsibility. If you have tried speaking to them or do not feel able to do so, you can make a report.

If the offence took place on our land, please report this incident to us. Once we receive your report, we will make contact with your neighbour.

If the offence took place in a public area such as a pavement or park, please report this to Westmorland and Furness Council.

Dangerous Dogs (including XL bully dogs)

Under the law any dog (of any breed or type) can be considered dangerous in any place if it is not kept under control. The dog doesn’t have to bite anyone; it could just show aggressive behaviour that makes someone feel in fear for their safety.

If you are in fear of your safety, please contact the Police immediately to report the dangerous dog. Once you have reported it to the Police, please report this to us with the Police log number.

As a responsible landlord we want to ensure customers are aware that there are new important laws in place regarding XL bully dogs.

“New restrictions on the XL Bully dogs are now in force (31 December 2023) making it a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public. It is also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray from today (31st December 2023).”

You can find out more information on the Government’s website.

Other Pet Issues

If you are experiencing any other problems with animals/pets please refer to our Pet Policy and Pet Contract.

How to Report

South Lakes Housing investigates reports of nuisance over a 2-week period. During this time please continue to report any incidents of nuisance you are experiencing through the online reporting form at the bottom of this page or via The Noise App. Any incidents reported will be attached to an ASB case as evidence.

Once the initial 2-week period is complete a review of the case will be carried out by our Neighbourhood Team to decide what is the best course of action to take. We will keep you informed of the outcome.

DIY

South Lakes Housing does not consider this as antisocial behaviour, unless the work is persistently taking place at unreasonable times of the day. South Lakes Housing considers DIY to be unreasonable between the hours of 9pm-7am.

If you feel safe to do so try and speak to your neighbour to let them know how their activities or behaviour is affecting you. They might not be aware they are disturbing you and likely to appreciate you letting them know.

How to Report

If the DIY becomes persistent then South Lakes Housing aims to investigate reports of noise nuisance over a 2 week period. During this time you will need to continue to report any incidents of nuisance you are experiencing through the online reporting form at the bottom of this page or via The Noise App. Any incidents reported will be attached to an ASB case as evidence.

Once the initial 2 week period is over a review of the case will be carried out by our Neighbourhood Team to decide what course of action will be taken. You will be informed of the outcome.

Arguing or shouting

South Lakes Housing would consider this as antisocial behaviour if the disturbance is persistent. Persistent means the disturbance is repetitive over continuous periods and is more than a one off incident.

If you feel safe to do so try and speak to your neighbour to let them know how their activities or behaviour is affecting you. They might not be aware they are disturbing you and likely to appreciate you letting them know.

How to Report

South Lakes Housing aims to investigate reports of the disturbance over a 2 week period. During this time you will need to continue to report any incidents of nuisance you are experiencing through the online reporting form at the bottom of this page or via The Noise App. Any incidents reported will be attached to an ASB case as evidence.

Once the initial 2 week period is over a review of the case will be carried out by our Neighbourhood Team to decide what course of action will be taken. You will be informed of the outcome.

If you have concerns about the welfare of an adult or child in the household you should contact your local authority (see below) for help and support and/or the Police.

Westmorland & Furness Council – Concerns about a child,

Westmorland & Furness Council – Concerns about an adult,

Lancaster City Council,

North Yorkshire Safeguarding adults Board,

North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

General living sounds

South Lakes Housing would not consider this as antisocial behaviour.

General living includes noise such as vacuuming, walking around, doors opening/closing, general conversations, children playing etc.

Drunk or rowdy behaviour

South Lakes Housing would consider this as antisocial behaviour if the disturbance is persistent. Persistent means the disturbance is repetitive over continuous periods and is more than a one off incident.

If the associated behaviour is of a criminal nature you need to report this to the Police immediately, you must also let them know if you are concerned about your safety.

How to Report

South Lakes Housing aims to investigate reports of the disturbance over a 2 week period. During this time you will need to continue to report any incidents of nuisance you are experiencing through the online reporting form at the bottom of this page or via The Noise App. Any incidents reported will be attached to an ASB case as evidence.

Once the initial 2 week period is over a review of the case will be carried out by our Neighbourhood Team to decide what course of action will be taken. You will be informed of the outcome.

If you have concerns about the welfare of an adult or child in the household you should contact your local authority (see below) for help and support and/or the Police.

Westmorland & Furness Council – Concerns about a child,

Westmorland & Furness Council – Concerns about an adult,

Lancaster City Council,

North Yorkshire Safeguarding adults Board,

North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Threats, abuse or harassment

This is a criminal offence and you need to report this to the Police immediately, you must also let them know if you are concerned about your safety.

How to Report

Once you have reported it to the Police, please contact us with the Police log number and the officers name.

South Lakes Housing aims to investigate reports of serious antisocial behaviour within 2 working days. Should you continue to experience problems you will need to report any incidents through the online reporting form at the bottom of this page and to the Police. Any incidents reported will be attached to an ASB case as evidence.

Once the initial investigation has taken place our Neighbourhood Team will decide what course of action will be taken. You will be informed of the outcome.

Criminal behaviour and domestic abuse

Criminal Behaviour

If criminal behaviour has taken place you need to report this to the Police immediately, you must also let them know if you are concerned about your safety.

Criminal behaviour includes, but is not limited to; drug dealing and/or the use of illegal substances, gun/knife crime, arson, hate crime, sexual offences, criminal damage and assault.

Once you have reported it to the Police, please contact us with the Police log number and the officers name if you have this, as this information will help us to progress our investigation quickly.

South Lakes Housing will work with residents, the Police and other partner agencies to ensure action is taken to resolve issues wherever possible and any available enforcement action will be considered in line with the evidence gathered.

Domestic Abuse

If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of someone else, you must contact the Police immediately

If you are, or someone you know is, a victim of domestic abuse or violence you can report this to South Lakes Housing and the Police.

For more information on where to get help and additional support please visit: www.gov.uk/report-domestic-abuse

You can also find more information for help and support from local & specialist support agencies by visiting: https://www.southlakeshousing.co.uk/domestic-abuse/ and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help.

How to Report

South Lakes Housing aims to investigate reports of serious antisocial behaviour within 2 working days. Should you continue to experience problems you will need to report any incidents through the online reporting form at the bottom of this page and to the Police. Any incidents reported will be attached to an ASB case as evidence.

Once the initial investigation has taken place our Neighbourhood Team will decide what course of action will be taken. You will be informed of the outcome.

Nuisance vehicles

Depending on the issue with the vehicle will depend on whether or not South Lakes Housing will consider this antisocial behaviour.

Abandoned Vehicles

If the car is abandoned on the highway you will need to contact Westmorland and Furness Council (01539 733333) and report it to their Enforcement Team If the car is abandoned on our land, start by speaking to neighbours to see if they know who the car belongs to. If no-one knows, make a note of the registration number, make and colour and please report these online. Please supply photographs where possible.

Parking

South Lakes Housing do not consider this antisocial behaviour and cannot manage parking.

However, if your neighbour is parking in a manner which obstructs your ability to enter/leave your home and/or allocated parking space, start by speaking to them first, they may not be aware their actions are causing you a problem.

If the problem continues then you can take the following action:

If it is on a public verge or highway and the vehicle is found to be parked contravening local parking regulations contact Westmorland & Furness Council who may be able to assist by issuing a Penalty Charge notice.

If it is parked in such a manner where it needs to be removed immediately, please contact the Police who will arrange this if deemed necessary.

If it is on land owned by South Lakes Housing, please report it to us via the online reporting form at the bottom of this page and upload photographic evidence of the obstruction.

Unsanitary conditions

South Lakes Housing would consider this as antisocial behaviour.

Unsanitary conditions include; hoarding, fly-tipping, untidy gardens, dog fouling, storing of rubbish.

How to Report

South Lakes Housing aims to investigate reports of environmental issues over a 4 week period. During this time you will need to continue to report any incidents of nuisance you are experiencing through the online reporting form at the bottom of this page including photographs of the issue. Any incidents reported will be attached to an ASB case as evidence.

Once the initial 4 week period is over a review of the case will be carried out by our Neighbourhood Team to decide what course of action will be taken.

Graffiti

South Lakes Housing does consider this as antisocial behaviour.

You should report this incident to the Police immediately and ask for a Police log Number.

Once you have contacted the police, please report this incident through our online reporting form at the bottom of this page. We will arrange for the graffiti to be removed. If the graffiti is offensive this removal will be done within 2 working days of being notified.

Recording noise nuisance

Noise nuisance is a common form of complaints and depending on the level and frequency may be classed as anti-social behaviour. To help us investigate an allegation we ask you to record any incidents of noise nuisance that disturb you via The Noise App if possible. 

The Noise App

The Noise App is simple to use and free to download. It allows you to create an accurate record of noise nuisance and how it affects you as it is happening. A recording of the noise nuisance will be sent directly to South Lakes Housing and will be reviewed and included in our investigation.

For help on how to use The Noise App please use the following instructions to guide you:  Noise App Instructions.  If you require additional assistance please contact us.

Please note when replaying the recording the quality may be poor on your phone, however the sound file we receive is of higher quality so please still send us all recordings.

You can report any incidents of antisocial behaviour (ASB) online through My Account.

We will acknowledge your report and then respond within 10 working days or 2 working days for serious antisocial behaviour, including all cases of hate crime and domestic abuse.

You can also report any incidents of antisocial behaviour (ASB) by filling in this form

We take reports of ASB very seriously and will work with you and other agencies to investigate reports and support complainants and witnesses and where appropriate take action to stop problem behaviour.

Common types of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) include harassment, threatening behaviour, drug dealing, repeated loud music, domestic abuse and hate crime.

Please complete the form below to report any incidents of ASB. We will acknowledge your report and then respond within 10 working days or 2 working days for serious ASB, including all cases of hate crime and domestic abuse.

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South Lakes Housing
Bridge Mills Business Centre
Stramongate
Kendal
United Kingdom
LA9 4BD

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