Select from the options below to find out what is and isn't ASB, what to do about it, and how we can work with you to deal with it.
Arson
This is anti-social behaviour. Arson is a serious crime and should be reported immediately to the local fire service and police on 999.
Once you've reported it to the police, please contact us and we'll work with the police and/or the wider Community Safety Partnership to take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
If it's not an immediate risk, you can also contact the police on 101 or online at www.police.uk
You can also report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
Domestic abuse
This is anti-social behaviour and should be reported to the police on 101 or online at www.police.uk
Once you've reported it to the police, please contact us and we'll work with the police and/or the wider Community Safety Partnership to take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
If you feel threatened or concerned for someone else’s safety contact the police immediately on 999.
Domestic abuse means any incident, or patterns of incidents, between connected people aged 16 and above. This may include:
- physical or sexual abuse
- violent or threatening behaviour
- controlling or coercive behaviour
- economic abuse
- psychological, emotional or other abuse.
If you or someone you know may need victim support, click here to access help available to you.
Drug use and dealing
This is anti-social behaviour and should be reported to the police on 101 or online at www.police.uk
Once you've reported it to the police, please contact us and we'll work with the police and/or the wider Community Safety Partnership to take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
You can also report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
If someone is seriously injured, in immediate danger or if there is a threat to public safety call 999.
P2R is a one-stop service that provides drug and alcohol advice, treatment and support. For more information please click: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/services/path-2-recovery-p2r-bedford-borough
For more information on drug and cuckooing related ASB cases and the impact they have on the people involved, visit:https://www.thrivehomes.org.uk/22720
Graffiti
This is considered anti-social behaviour and if reported to us we will arrange for the graffiti to be removed or covered.
If graffiti has not been reported but is noticed as part of a routine clean, our contractor will try to remove it. If they can't get rid of it, we will look at other ways to cover it, such as re-decorating the area.
This service does come at a cost, so please let us know if you think you know who did it. You can trust us to treat anything you share with us confidentially.
If graffiti is offensive we will make this a priority to remove.
Gun or knife crime
This is anti-social behaviour and should be reported to the police immediately on 101 or online at www.police.uk
Once you've reported it to the police, please contact us and we'll work with the police and/or the wider Community Safety Partnership to take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
You can also report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
If someone is seriously injured, in immediate danger, or if there is a threat to public safety call 999.
Hate incidents & hate crime
This is anti-social behaviour and should be reported to the police immediately on 101 or online at www.police.uk
Once you've reported it to the police, please contact us and we'll work with the police and/or the wider Community Safety Partnership to take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.
Crimes committed against someone because of their disability, transgender-identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation are hate crimes.
Hate crimes can include:
- threatening behaviour
- assault
- robbery
- damage to property
- inciting others to commit hate crimes
- harassment
- online abuse.
You can find help and support from the National Stop Hate UK website and 24 hour help line 0800 138 1625.
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Children playing outdoors
This is not usually considered anti-social behaviour and it will not be dealt with as part of our ASB policy. However, we will respond to offer advice, which may include mediation.
Noise from children playing can be expected across most residential areas. We do not usually feel the need to respond and ask that where possible you and your household and/or visitors to:
- play outside your home and not directly outside a neighbours window
- ask politely before retrieving a ball from any private gardens
- avoid kicking or bouncing a ball up against a resident's wall
- use nearby green spaces and avoid playing near parked cars or roads. Please be mindful of your safety and others.What to do if it becomes a nuisance
Sometimes your neighbour may not be aware that they are bothering you. The best thing to do is to talk to them nicely and tell them how you feel. Or you can use our ‘Dear neighbour’ postcard to let them know without saying who you are. You can download a copy here.
If talking to your neighbour doesn't work and the behaviour continues and you do not feel safe approaching them, please let us know.
To help us understand the situation fully, we'll need to know:
- who was involved?
- what happened?
- how did it make you feel?
- date and time of incident?
- where did it happen?
- is there any other evidence?
You can record this using our incident diary sheets which you can download here.
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Loud voices, household disputes and shouting (not directed at you)
This is not usually considered anti-social behaviour and it will not be dealt with as part of our ASB policy. However, we will respond to offer advice, which may include mediation.
We understand that not everyone gets on all the time and occasionally you may hear raised voices from neighbours.What to do if you are concerned
If you have an immediate concern about the welfare of your neighbour, please contact the police on 999.
You can also call 101 or report it online at www.police.uk
You can report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/What to do if it becomes a nuisance
Sometimes your neighbour may not be aware that they are bothering you. The best thing to do is to talk to them nicely and tell them how you feel. Or you can use our ‘Dear neighbour’ postcard to let them know without saying who you are. You can download a copy here.
If talking to your neighbour doesn't work and the behaviour continues and you do not feel safe approaching them, please let us know.
To help us understand the situation fully, we'll need to know:
- who was involved?
- what happened?
- how did it make you feel?
- date and time of incident?
- where did it happen?
- is there any other evidence?
You can record this using our incident diary sheets which you can download here.
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Babies and children crying
This is not considered anti-social behaviour and it will not be dealt with as part of our ASB policy. However, we will respond to offer advice, which may include mediation.
What to do if you are concerned
If you are worried about a baby or child, please contact the local authorities’ children services team or NSPCC at: www.nspcc.org.uk
If you think a crime is being committed or have an immediate concern about the welfare of a baby or child in a neighbouring home, please contact the police on 999.
What to do if it becomes a nuisance
Sometimes your neighbour may not be aware that they are bothering you. The best thing to do is to talk to them nicely and tell them how you feel. Or you can use our ‘Dear neighbour’ postcard to let them know without saying who you are. You can download a copy here.
If talking to your neighbour doesn't work and the behaviour continues and you do not feel safe approaching them, please let us know.
To help us understand the situation fully, we'll need to know:
- who was involved?
- what happened?
- how did it make you feel?
- date and time of incident?
- where did it happen?
- is there any other evidence?
You can record this using our incident diary sheets which you can download here.
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Living noise, including using appliances or from movement inside a property
This is not considered anti-social behaviour and it will not be dealt with as part of our ASB policy. However, we will respond to offer advice, which may include mediation.
Things like doors and cupboards closing, the use of appliances and moving around the home are to be occasionally expected.
We ask that customers are mindful of their lifestyle which may differ to a neighbours’, and that they try to reduce sounds by closing doors gently, installing floor coverings such as carpet or rugs, and consider the time-of-day that tasks such as hoovering or DIY are carried out.
Laminate and wood flooring can be noisy, especially in a flat. Think carefully about your choice of flooring and remember to request permission from us to fit hard flooring first on the myThrive hub.
For more information read our good neighbour guide.
What to do if it becomes a nuisance
Sometimes your neighbour may not be aware that they are bothering you. The best thing to do is to talk to them nicely and tell them how you feel. Or you can use our ‘Dear neighbour’ postcard to let them know without saying who you are. You can download a copy here.
If talking to your neighbour doesn't work and the behaviour continues and you do not feel safe approaching them, please let us know.
To help us understand the situation fully, we'll need to know:
- who was involved?
- what happened?
- how did it make you feel?
- date and time of incident?
- where did it happen?
- is there any other evidence?
You can record this using our incident diary sheets which you can download here.
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Loud music
This is not considered anti-social behaviour and wouldn't usually require a response from us unless it is persistent. However, we will respond to offer advice, which may include mediation.
Customers are entitled to play music at reasonable volumes. This may include as part of one-off parties or gatherings.
As part of our Good Neighbour Guide, we ask customers to let their neighbours know if they are planning to have a party or make noise.
What can be done about this issue?
Sometimes your neighbour may not be aware that they are bothering you. The best thing to do is to talk to them nicely and tell them how you feel. Or you can use our ‘Dear neighbour’ postcard to let them know without saying who you are. You can download a copy here.
If talking to your neighbour doesn't work and the behaviour continues and you do not feel safe approaching them, please let us know.
You can also report this to the Environmental Health team at your local authority who may have a recording app/device or an out of hours service and additional powers to deal with statutory nuisance.
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Parties or group related nuisance
This is not considered anti-social behaviour and wouldn't usually require a response from us unless it is persistent and causes an unacceptable disturbance. However, we will respond to offer advice, which may include mediation.
If you’re planning to have a party, we recommend that you speak to your neighbours first.
What can be done about this issue?
Sometimes your neighbour may not be aware that they are bothering you. The best thing to do is to talk to them nicely and tell them how you feel. Or you can use our ‘Dear neighbour’ postcard to let them know without saying who you are. You can download a copy here.
If talking to your neighbour doesn't work and the behaviour continues and you do not feel safe approaching them, please let us know.
You can also report this to the Environmental Health team at your local authority who may have a recording app/device or an out of hours service and additional powers to deal with statutory nuisance.
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Animal noise
This is not usually considered anti-social behaviour and it will not be dealt with as part of our ASB policy. However, we will respond to offer advice, which may include mediation.Cases of persistent dog barking are considered anti-social behaviour and we will take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
What to do if you are concerned
We recommend that you report this to the Environmental Health team at your local authority who may have a recording app/device or an out of hours service and additional powers to deal with statutory nuisance. If you have concerns about the welfare of an animal, please contact the RSPCA.
For more information on noise related ASB cases and the impact they have on the people involved, visit: https://www.thrivehomes.org.uk/22720
Nuisance or dangerous dogs
Owning a dangerous dog or failing to properly control a dog is considered anti-social behaviour and is a crime that should be reported to the police. This includes concerns relating to the new XL bully legislation.
To report a dog that you feel may be dangerous or aggressive, contact the local authority.
Things like dogs barking, birds singing and squawking, cats fighting or wailing, and animals chewing or rattling their cages would not normally be considered anti-social behaviour and requires no response from us. Customers should apply to Thrive for permission to keep a pet in their home and keep to a set of conditions to keep any disturbance to a minimum.
We ask that dogs are kept on a lead in all communal areas and that dog mess is picked up and disposed of responsibly. Dog mess in a communal garden can be reported to us. If you find it on private or public land, you can report this to your local authority. This would not be considered anti-social behaviour.
For more information on the guidelines we ask customers to meet to keep a pet in there home, click here.
What to do if it becomes a nuisance
Sometimes your neighbour may not be aware that they are bothering you. The best thing to do is to talk to them nicely and tell them how you feel. Or you can use our ‘Dear neighbour’ postcard to let them know without saying who you are. You can download a copy here.
If talking to your neighbour doesn't work and the behaviour continues and you do not feel safe approaching them, please let us know.
To help us understand the situation fully, we'll need to know:
- who was involved?
- what happened?
- how did it make you feel?
- date and time of incident?
- where did it happen?
- is there any other evidence?
You can record this using our incident diary sheets which you can download here.
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Offensive behaviour
This is anti-social behaviour and should be reported to the police immediately on 101 or online at www.police.uk
Once you've reported it to the police, please contact us and we'll work with the police and/or the wider Community Safety Partnership to take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
You can also report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
If someone is seriously injured, in immediate danger, or if there is a threat to public safety call 999.
Examples of unacceptable and offensive behaviour include:
unwanted sexual comments, sexual advances or touching
indecent exposure
drunken rowdy behaviour
damaging communal areas. -
Fly tipping
This is considered anti-social behaiviour.
If you know of a neighbour who is regularly fly-tipping in or around your building, please speak to us confidentially. It's helpful if you can share any evidence such as photos. Please note that removal services are chargeable and without evidence we would be unable to recharge the individual.
Customers are responsible for getting rid of items they no longer want such as beds, sofas and white goods. Thrive do not offer a clearance service and any items left in communal areas, including next to bins, is considered fly-tipping which is a criminal offence.
If you have excess waste or items that cannot be disposed of in your bin, your local authority may offer a paid for service to collect it.
You can find more information on ways to look after your shared bin store and chutes here.
To report an issue on private land or a public space, contact your local authority at: Find your local council - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Threats, intimidation & actual violence
This is anti-social behaviour. If you're a victim or witness you should report this to the police immediately on 101 or online at www.police.uk
Once you've reported it to the police, please contact us and we'll work with the police and/or the wider Community Safety Partnership to take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
If someone is seriously injured, in immediate danger or if there is a threat to public safety call 999.
You can also get help and advice for victim support here.
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Vehicle crime
This is anti-social behaviour and vehicle theft or damage is a crime that should be reported to the police on 101 or online at www.police.uk
Once you've reported it to the police, please contact us and we'll work with the police and/or the wider Community Safety Partnership to take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
You can also report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
If someone is seriously injured, in immediate danger, or if there is a threat to public safety call 999.
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Abandoned cars
This is not anti-social behaviour and does not usually require a response from us unless abandoned on Thrive property.If you think a car has been abandoned, please check with your neighbours first.
What to do if you are concerned
If a car is abandoned on property owned by Thrive please report this to us.If car is abandoned on a public road you can report this to the local authorities.If you suspect the car is stolen you should report this to the police on 101 or online at www.police.uk -
Parking
This is not anti-social behaviour but in some cases Thrive may be able to provide advice or help.
If you need a permit to park outside your home and there's a vehicle without a valid permit, please report this to the parking enforcement company directly.
For all other parking queries relating to a Thrive owned car park, please contact us.
If someone is parking in your allocated parking space or a disabled bay without displaying a valid badge, please speak to them first if you feel it is safe to do so before reporting this to us
You can make an improvement request to install a parking bollard. Further information about permission requests can be found here: https://www.thrivehomes.org.uk/my-home/introduction-to-the-thrive-deal/tenants/your-home/
If you require a disabled bay we may be able to assist. Further information about aids and adaptations can be found here: https://www.thrivehomes.org.uk/my-home/advice-information/home-alterations/
If the vehicle is on public land and causing an obstruction, please contact the local authority.
If the vehicle needs to be moved immediately you should report this to the police on 101 or online at online at www.police.uk
What to do if it becomes a nuisance
Sometimes your neighbour may not be aware that they are bothering you. The best thing to do is to talk to them nicely and tell them how you feel. Or you can use our ‘Dear neighbour’ postcard to let them know without saying who you are. You can download a copy here.
If talking to your neighbour doesn't work and the behaviour continues and you do not feel safe approaching them, please let us know.
To help us understand the situation fully, we'll need to know:
- who was involved?
- what happened?
- how did it make you feel?
- date and time of incident?
- where did it happen?
- is there any other evidence?
You can record this using our incident diary sheets which you can download here.
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Careless/reckless driving
This is anti-social behaviour and should be reported to the police on 101 or online at www.police.uk
Once you've reported it to the police, please contact us and we'll work with the police and/or the wider Community Safety Partnership to take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
Examples of careless/reckless driving may include:
- street racing
- riding un-licenced power vehicles (including e-scooters that are uninsured)
- misusing vehicles off road
- performing stunts and tricks
- drivers and riders risk injuring themselves and other road users, cyclists, and pedestrians.
If you know the people involved and you feel safe to talk to them about the issue please do so, as they may not know they are causing a nuisance.
You can also report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
Verbal abuse, intimidation or harassment
This is anti-social behaviour. If you feel threatened or you are concerned for someone else’s safety, contact the police immediately on 101 or online at www.police.uk
Once you've reported it to the police, please contact us and we'll work with the police and/or the wider Community Safety Partnership to take action in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
To help us understand the situation fully, we'll need to know:
- the words that were used
- why you felt that the behaviour was intimidating
- how exactly you were being harassed.
You can also report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
If someone is seriously injured, in immediate danger, or if there is a threat to public safety call 999.