Other Criminal Behaviour / Crime

The Issue

Criminal behaviour is often seen as anti-social and we will sometimes receive complaints about behaviour that is dealt with initially by the police. Such criminal behaviour includes burglary, fraud, theft and robbery. When people find out that others living by them are involved in criminal behaviour this can cause harassment, alarm and/or distress. Where crimes are taking place within our neighbourhoods, Gloucester City Homes will work with Gloucestershire Police to take action against those individuals who are affecting the quality of life for the majority.

Tenancy Agreement

The Tenancy Agreement makes it clear that:

Tenants are responsible for the behaviour of everyone living in or visiting the Property. They must also keep under control any animals living in or visiting the Property. This applies when they are in the Property, in communal areas (stairs, lifts, landings, entrance halls, paved areas, shared gardens and parking areas), on adjacent land and in the locality around the Property
Tenants, members of the household and visitors must not:-

cause or permit a nuisance, annoyance or disturbance to any other person. Examples of nuisance, annoyance or disturbance include:-
loud music; arguing and door slamming; allowing excessive or prolonged dog barking, dog fouling; offensive drunkenness; selling drugs or drug abuse; solvent abuse; rubbish dumping; playing ball games close to someone else’s Property.
harass or allow to be harassed any other person. Examples of harassment include:-
racist behaviour or language; using or threatening .to use violence; using abusive or insulting graffiti or behaviour; damaging or threatening to damage another persons property or possessions; writing threatening, abusive of insulting graffiti; doing anything that interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of other people.
use or allow the Property to be used for any illegal or immoral purpose including the storage, or possession of/or dealing in stolen property or illegal drugs or the use of illegal drugs and must not deal in drugs in the locality of the Property.
damage, deface or put graffiti on Council property. Tenants will have to pay for any repairs or replacements.
interfere with security and safety equipment in communal blocks. Doors should not be jammed open and strangers should not be let in without identification.

What can I do?

STEP 1
Report the crime to the police. If there is an immediate threat to life or property or a crime is being committed, dial 999. Where there is no immediate threat contact the police on 0845 090 1234 or report the crime through the following links:

Gloucester City Homes|

Gloucestershire Police| OR

CRIMESTOPPERS.|

If you are making a report to the Police or CRIMESTOPPERS please ask them to also pass the information onto Gloucester City Homes or report it directly to us and let us know that you have already reported the matter to the Police or Crimestoppers. Alternatively you can contact us and we can contact the police on your behalf.

STEP 2
It is essential that you keep a record of any criminal behaviour or activity that you witness or experience. This information could be crucial to any legal action. If neighbours are also suffering then they should also be asked to keep a record and to complain to Gloucester City Homes and Gloucestershire Police.

Follow this link to download our incident log sheet|.

What can Gloucester City Homes / Gloucestershire Constabulary do to help?

There are a range of legal powers available to the Police to tackle crime and anti social behaviour. These powers can range from a warning or caution, to a fine, and in some cases to criminal prosecutions and imprisonment. Where other crimes are taking place or have taken place you should contact the police.

Where criminal behaviour is taking place on housing land, Gloucester City Homes and Gloucestershire Constabulary will take enforcement action to protect communities from the nuisance associated with crime and anti social behaviour.

A range of non-legal action will be considered when where necessary

verbal and written warnings; and
the use of an Acceptable Behaviour Contract.

If the non-legal remedies do not work the following legal action could be taken:

where an offence is commited the perpetrator could be arrested and taken to court that could lead to prosecution and community service or imprisonment, and could possibly lead to a driving disqulification;
a civil injunction could be obtained under s222 of the Local Government Act 1972 where serious public nuisance is occuring;
an application for an Anti Social Behaviour Order.
the closure of premises used for dealing and using class A drugs where there is disorder, under the closure powers in s1-11 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003.

If however the person involved in any of the above acts of anti social behaviour is a tenant, leaseholder or shared owner, or a member of their family or visitor to their home then Gloucester City Homes may work with Gloucestershire Constabulary to investigate the incident(s) in partnership.

Ultimately, where the behaviour is affecting communities within our neighbourhoods, and the above non-legal or legal action fails Gloucester City Homes could ask the Courts to grant repossession of a tenants home or the revocation of the lease for leaseholders or shared owners.

As the perpetrator had caused themselves to become homeless it is unlikely that the Council's Housing Service would be required to permanently rehouse them. They are more likely to have to find their own suitable alternative accommodation. This would ultimately depend on the circumstances of each case.

Our service standards

We will:

contact you within five working days in non-emergency cases or within one working day in urgent cases. Emergencies should be immediately reported to the police
if necessary, arrange an interview with you within five working days in non-emergency cases or within one working day in urgent cases
discuss the situation and advise you on the options that may be available to help resolve the problem such as mediation, voluntary agreements, legal action
help you keep a detailed diary of events, which will help us gather any evidence needed to take further action
work with you to try to resolve your problem, and explain clearly what is happening at each stage
jointly work with the police and any other agency that may be able to help resolve the problem
consider legal action against any person who continues to behave in an anti-social way, including taking court injunction and possession proceedings, or an Anti-Social Behaviour Order, or supporting criminal prosecutions recommended by the police to the Crown Prosecution Service
work with the police and other agencies to protect you and any other witnesses.