You Are Here: Home > Community Issues > Commuity Issues and Anti Social Behaviour
Find out about anti-social behaviour and what options you have if you having problem with anti-social behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour encompasses a wide range of activities and behaviour and can mean different things to different people. With that in mind the Government has defined anti-social behaviour using broad terms. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 states that anti-social behaviour occurs when a person has behaved in a manner ‘that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as himself’. This can include many different types of behaviour and actions. Certain forms of ASB can also include some element of criminal behaviour. Behaviour such as:
Bedfordshire Police treats all complaints of anti-social behaviour seriously. When we receive a complaint, we will record it, evaluate how serious the complaint is and commence further enquires if deemed appropriate.
Bedfordshire Police has anti-social behaviour units in Mid, North and South Bedfordshire and will work with members of the public and relevant agencies, using all legislative powers available to deal with serious anti-social behaviour, sensitively and effectively. This includes:
The Anti-Social Behaviour Unit needs you to help us tackle those who cause distress to their neighbours and communities, thereby impinging on the quality of life of others. If you have been affected by anti-social behaviour, or have witnessed anything that may cause harassment, alarm or distress to others, you can contact Bedfordshire Police Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, and we will give advice and take action when appropriate.
As crime is a police issue, and disorder is a partnership issue, Anti-Social Behaviour can also be reported to Bedford Borough Council or your local housing officer depending on the nature of the incident. Anti-social behaviour is applicable to all types of housing stock, private and social housing. They will be able to help you deal with the matter in the appropriate way or direct you to the relevant agency.
That depends on the nature of the problem. Clearly serious crimes should be reported to the police. There are a variety of ways in which the various partners in Bedfordshire tackle anti-social behaviour. These range from a letter to the alleged offender addressing their anti-social behaviour, a meeting with the perpetrators of ASB, offering Mediation to both parties.
There are a number of ways in which you can report incidents of anti-social behaviour. You can contact:
Bedfordshire Police
North Beds Anti-social Behaviour Co-ordinator
Central Beds Envirocrime Unit
Street Rangers
There are 3 park rangers 8 street rangers who work work with communities in the Cauldwell, Goldington, Harpur, Kempston, Kingsbrook and Queen's Park areas. Their work involves environmental issues, tackling anti-social behaviour and reducing the fear of crime.
Urban Park Rangers
Your Local Housing Officer
Local Councillor
Central Beds Community Safety (formally Mid and South Beds)
Luton Anti-Social Behavior page
Funkee Munkee - Website for young people in Mid and South Beds
Some advice regarding flytipping.
Flytipping is often associated with dumping waste from vehicles. In this case the person controlling the use of the vehicle can also be prosecuted, which means that it is possible for a prosecution to occur when only the vehicle, not the driver, is identifiable.
The Police also have the powers to seize vehicles used for flytipping.
The website FixMyStreet, exsists as a place where you to report, view and discuss local problems, such as fly tipping, broken paving slabs, street lighting or litter
Flytipping advice Bedfordshire County Council Website
Bedford Borough Council
Tel: 01234 267422
Helpdesk: 01234 227227
Fax: 01234 221606
Central Beds
Tel: 0300 300 8000
Email: customer.services@Centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Luton Borough Council
Tel: 01582 51 03 33
Fax: 01582 54 68 68
Email: wastecustomerservice@luton.gov.uk
Some advice regarding noisy or dangerous dogs, and dog fouling.
It is an offence to allow your dog to foul on public land, but not agricultural land, woodland, marsh, moor or heathland, or common land.
The council has limited power to deal with dog fouling problem on private property, unless it is causing a severe environmental health problems.
If you have problems with dog fouling and would like one of Beds County Councils Enforcement Officers to visit your area, please telephone 01234 221781.
Alternatively you can also contact the Pest Control and Dog Warden Service on 0800 1218888 or fill in a online form on the Beds County Council website
This PDF has dog bin locations (83kb),
All noise complaints are now dealt with by the Environmental Health Officer at the local council office covering your area of residence.
If you have found a lost or stray dog contact the local council's dog warden who will remove the animal and attempt to identify its owner.
The Dangerous Dogs Act prohibits persons from having in their possession a dog that belongs to types bred for fighting. The Act also enables restrictions to be imposed in relation to dogs which present a serious danger to the public, and to make further provision ensuring these dogs are kept under proper control.
This applies to any dog of the following types: Pit Bull Terriers / Japanese Tosa / Dogo Argentino / Fila Braziliero and any other type of dog deemed to have been bred for fighting.
If you are attacked or bitten by a dog, or are afraid a dog may escape from private property into a public place, call the police (and ambulance, if necessary) on 999 immediately.
If you are aware of organised dog fighting - inform the police on 01234 841212.
You are not allowed to use a guard dog on premises unless:
Some advice regarding vehicles, including abandoned vehicles and parking issues.
People who have concerns should contact their Local Safer Neighbourhood Team.
This team provide all the parish speed checks and deals with speed related complaints within the county. In addition, they provide organised vehicle checks with other agencies in relation to legislation enforcement and driver education.
Central Bedfordshire Council explains the procedures if you wish to decrease or increase the speed limits on a road.
Bedfordshire & Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership website
To report a vehicle that appears to be untaxed, contact your nearest DVLA office in writing (Vehicle Registration Office, 2 Dunstable Road, Luton LU1 1EB).
The DVLA run a national scheme to clamp unlicensed or improperly licensed vehicles. Release payments are high and you run the risk of your vehicle being crushed if you do not reclaim it after 5 weeks. Visit the DVLA website for more information.
Number plates must be easy to read by people who may be witnesses to an accident or a crime involving a vehicle, and by roadside cameras. The police rely on clear recall of registration numbers in order to trace vehicle keepers.
For more information, please visit the DVLA website.
According to the Road Traffic Act 1991, it is an offence to "intentionally and without lawful authority ... to cause anything to be on or over a road". If you live on a road where there are no allocated parking bays, this also includes any object to save your parking space.
It is as offence for anyone to advertise two or more vehicles on the same road or within 500m of each other.
The police will attend abandoned vehicles believed to be stolen or involved in a crime. If you wish to have a vehicle removed where police involvement is not necessary you should contact your local council.
Bedford Borough Council
Tel: 01234 227227 or www.bedford.gov.uk go to Environmental Services and complete the web form found there.
Central Beds District Council
Tel: 0300 300 8000, or visit Abandoned/Unwanted Vehicles.
Local authorities now are able to access the DVLA database for vehicle owner details. This way those responsible for abandoning cars can be tracked down and informed of the impending confiscation of their vehicle, or the information can be passed to the police if a vehicle turns out to be stolen.
Some advice regarding noise.
If you have a noisy neighbour, try talking to them and solving the problem before taking further action. They may not even be aware that noise can be heard outside their own home or that children may be making excessive noise when they are out.
If this fails you should contact can contact you local environmental health council office.
Contact Bedford Borough Council on: 01234 227257.
Visit their website.
Contact Central Beds Council on: 0300 300 8000
Visit: Noise Enforcement Protocol
Contact Luton Borough Council on: 01582 546594 or visit their website.
Or to find your local environmental health office.
Some advice regarding graffiti.
Graffiti are words or drawings, that are written, painted, sprayed or scratched on the surface of any property.
Flyposters usually advertise or promote events and are placed without permission of the owner of the property and can take the form of stickers, signs or posters.
Your local council is usually responsible for removing graffiti from public buildings, street furniture or monuments as well as removing flyposters.
Other items such as telephone boxes, bus shelters and electricity boxes are the responsibility of the company that has placed them there.
However, the local authority does have a power to issue a 'defacement removal notice' to the property owner, which requires them to remove the graffiti or flyposting within 28 days.
The website FixMyStreet, exsists as a place where you to report, view and discuss local problems, such as fly tipping, broken paving slabs, street lighting or litter
If you are affected by graffiti or flyposting or you see it on property nearby, you can report it to your council which will be able to advise what steps can be taken to remove it.
Pride in Bedford is engages in a number a intiatives like Operation Clean Sweep to sustain and promote pride in Bedford.
Phone: 01234 227328/ 221638
Email: prideinbedford@bedford.gov.uk
Contact the Bedford Borough Council helpline on: 0800 121 8888.
Contact the Central Bedfordshire council on: Telephone: 0300-300-8000 and at Customer.Services@Centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Luton Borough Council: 01582 51 03 33
Problems with mini motos?
If a mini moto used on the roads, footpaths or off road are subject to road traffic law. Irresponsible use of minimotos, quads or off road motorcycles are a growing problem within our community and are the cause of many complaints from concerned members of public. They are not toys.
If ridden on the road, they must be taxed, insured and deemed road worthy, just like any other motorised vehicle on the road.
With the owner’s permission they can be driven on private land, but must not pass through any public land.
With the publics help the police can arrest offenders if caught in the act. It is advisable that the public keeps reporting offences so the police can get a picture of where there offences take place, and who is involved.
Although it may seem difficult to take action against offenders there is a few thing you can do.
The police can seize illegally ridden mini motos, and other vehicles, and owner will charged fee plus the daily storage charges will need to get pain before they are returned.
Litter problems in your area?
Litter is unsightly, and helps create a run down feeling to an area which may attract criminal activity.
The most common types of litter are cigarette butts, sweet wrappers, matchsticks, drinks cans and fast food wrappers.
The Envirocrime Unit (ECU) will enforce littering laws and anybody seen throwing litter down (including chewing gum and cigarette ends) could face a fine up to fine of £2500. A fixed penalty notice of £80 could be issued as an alternative to prosecution.
The website FixMyStreet, exsists as a place where you to report, view and discuss local problems, such as fly tipping, broken paving slabs, street lighting or litter.
Pride in Bedford an organisation, which runs initiatives and local community events to improve the environment and community spirit in Bedford. One such initiative is the Big Tidy Up, a Keep Britain Tidy Clean up Campaign which launched in September 2008.
Visit here for more information.
Bedford Borough Council
Bedford Borough Council
Town Hall
St. Paul's Square
Bedford.
MK40 1SJ
Email: centralp@bedford.gov.uk
Tel: (01234) 267422
Fax: (01234) 221606
Text: (01234) 221827
DX 5600 Bedford
Central Beds District
Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House,
Monks Walk
Chicksands,
Shefford,
SG17 5TQ
and can be contacted on 0300-300-8000 and at Customer.Services@Centralbedfordshire.gov.uk