This information tells you how we will support you when you report incidents of anti-social behaviour.

We recognise that anti-social behaviour can cause difficulty and distress. We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and will use the powers available to us to:

• deal with this type of behaviour
• support residents who report anti-social behaviour

What we and the police can do

If you are able to work with us and provide information, we and the police can usually take action for a breach of tenancy or lease, and/or criminal behaviour. This action could result in the perpetrator losing their home and getting a criminal conviction.

Providing information

We need your help in dealing with anti-social behaviour because we can only take action when we know:

• what crime/anti-social behaviour has taken place
• who is responsible

You may have concerns about giving information and evidence to us, and the possibility of having to attend court. It is possible for you to supply information to us or the police safely that lets us deal with individuals or groups who are causing problems in or around your home. Your identity can remain confidential.
If you don't want to make a statement to the police, the information that you have about anti-social behaviour can still be used by them to target resources in tackling inappropriate behaviour.

Confidentiality

We will not show records to anyone else where:

• there is a genuine risk of harm to you or others if they see the records
• the records refer to them and you have not given your consent for them to see the records.

We will only give information to another organisation with your agreement, apart from the police (we have a duty under the Crime and Disorder Act to share information with the police about criminal acts).
Rarely there may be a threat of violence, abuse, harassment or other retribution against someone who has reported an incident. If you or we feel that this is a real possibility, we will do all we can to ensure that your anonymity is kept and your security protected.

Supporting witnesses

Where possible we will try to get more than one witness to an incident. It will be easier for you, as part of a group, to support each other and stand up to any potential intimidation or threats. To help us to do this, please let us know the names of other witnesses to the incident which you are referring to.

Our commitment to you

We will agree support with you and:

• ensure your confidentiality
• provide guidance and support to you about your options
• encourage you to report the incident to the police
• ensure that partners like the police are aware of the situation
• work with other agencies to tackle the problem
• find other witnesses so you are not alone
• contact you regularly to make sure you are all right and update you on progress
• where threats of violence have been made consider using "without notice" injunctions against identifiable perpetrator
• Where there is a fear for your immediate safety, arrange alternative accommodation either temporarily or permanently
• improve home security by providing extra security measures such as additional window locks, security chains, extra locks, security lights for your property
• provide personal security items like personal alarms, mobile phone
• provide an "out of hours" emergency contact list
• remove any graffiti promptly (racist or offensive graffiti within 24 hours)
• pay special attention to monitoring the area you live in

What you can do

Report an incident of anti-social behaviour from here.

You can also contact:

North Yorkshire Police

Call the control room on 0845 6060 247. The operator will ask for your name and address and contact details which you should give as they may need to contact you again later. Give details of the incident and make a note of the incident number for your future reference.

If you are concerned MAKE IT CLEAR THAT NO POLICE OFFICER SHOULD CALL AT YOUR HOME. If a police officer contacts you again, you can choose where, how and when you discuss the matter.

You can also contact:

• your housing management officer with details of the incident
• your estate caretaker or scheme manager, if you have one, who can take details and pass this information on to us
• fill in an incident reporting form you can download one hereor ask your housing management officer to send one to you or get one from The Garth, Folk Hall.
• complete and send us diary sheets
• let your Neighbourhood Watch Co ordinator know about the problem.

If you want to give information about people involved in acts of anti-social behaviour, contact:

New Earswick and Huntington

• Police on 01904 669065 and leave a message for PC Paul Beckwith to contact you. He will contact you by phone, and will not call at your home unless you ask him to.
• Crimestoppers free call on 0800 555111 - you can do this anonymously.

Other areas

• Crimestoppers free call on 0800 555111 - you can do this anonymously or
• complete a 'Payback'. You can get one of these from us. Return the form to York Centre for Safer Communities, Lower Friargate, York YO1 9SL or drop at The Garth, addressed to PC Paul Beckwith, or email safercommunities@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk . Your message will be passed to PC Paul Beckwith.

If you help us by letting us or the police know who the culprits are, we can make your community a better place for everyone.