Introduction
The ASB Case Review, formerly known as the ASB Case Review, is an effective tool to problem solve anti-social behaviour (ASB). As a charity, we want to ensure that all victims are aware of their rights, including their right to seek an ASB Case Review. However, unfortunately the ASB Case Review is not consistently advertised, so we want to raise awareness nationally.
As part of our Your Voice, Your Right campaign, we want to lead you through the process of pursuing an ASB Case Review. This will be from the victim’s perspective and is informed by survey research and one-to-one interviews with real victims of anti-social behaviour who have gone through the ASB Case Review process.
Reporting
Anti-social behaviour plagues many of our communities across England and Wales. Unfortunately, it can be cumulative and therefore have an increasingly detrimental impact on the well-being and health of victims.
Victims should report any incidents of anti-social behaviour to their local authority, local police and/or any relevant housing provider.
If the anti-social behaviour persists and you feel that any efforts made to resolve the problem have not worked, you may meet the ‘threshold’ for an ASB Case Review.
The ‘threshold’ or criteria for an ASB Case Review is considered:
- At least three incidents of ASB reported within a six-month period.
- Each incident must be reported withing one month of it occurring.
- These incidents must have been reported to either the same organisation or a mixture of reports to either police, local authority or housing, as long as the reports relate to separate/different incidents and the same single report is not made to three different agencies.
However, some local authorities may have additional threshold criteria e.g. your case must be closed, or the investigation is still ongoing.
Not sure what counts as anti-social behaviour? Check out our Victims Hub for information.
Application
The agency you apply to for an ASB Case Review can change from area to area. Usually, an ASB Case Review application is submitted via your local authority. However, in some areas it may be submitted through other agencies such as the Police and Crime Commissioners office. To find your local lead agency, check out our ASB Case Review directory.
When you apply, you will often be asked to provide 3 separate reference numbers for the incidents you have reported which contribute to your application meeting the threshold.
You should then be given confirmation of your application submittal and a date by which they agency will let you know about their decision.
If you do not receive a response by the date shown, you should chase up the agency responsible. If they do not respond, you can submit another application.
“Suddenly, we got ourselves an ASB Case Review, and like I said, then all of a sudden, we had a voice. And it was amazing.”
– Victim, Victim Focus Group
Review
Prior to the ASB Case Review, you may be contacted by the coordinating officer or sometimes the chair of the meeting, to discuss the incidents you have been experiencing and the impact this has had on your life.
You should be invited to attend the initial part of the ASB Case Review to provide a victim impact statement. Usually, victims are not invited to stay for the entire meeting due to data protection regulations as agencies may be discussing sensitive information about other parties.
“My council/housing association (both one and the same) were very unhelpful. I didn’t find out about the verbal statement or impact statement until I spoke to ASB Help.”
– Victim, Victim Focus Group
If you do not feel comfortable attending the review or providing a verbal statement, you can provide a written statement instead. Alternatively, you could invite someone to speak on your behalf i.e. an advocate.
If you are nervous about attending, please express your concerns to the chair of the review or the coordinator. You could consider linking in with advocacy services or consider bringing a friend or relative for emotional support.
Once you have left the meeting, agencies will discuss possible alternative ways in which they may be able to try and resolve the anti-social behaviour you are experiencing. This should result in an action plan.
Outcome
Following the ASB Case Review, you should be informed about the outcome of the meeting and what agencies plan to do to try and resolve the ASB. It’s important to remember that it can take some time for actions/strategies to be implemented. However, you should be informed about the progress of this regularly.
“I was a victim of ASB and taking part of this process changed my life, I provided the victim impact statement, and I was able to read it, and I was listened to, and the outcome was positive for me.”
– Victim, Victim Focus Group
Appeals
Following the ASB Case Review, you should be informed about your local agencies’ appeals procedure.
If you were not eligible for an ASB Case Review, you should also receive details of the appeals procedure along with reasons for the decision to decline your application.
You can submit an appeal if you are dissatisfied with the way your ASB Case Review was carried out, or the decision on whether your application met the threshold. It is important to check your local appeal timeframe as you will have a set number of days in which you can submit an appeal.
“The victim should be invited to attend. The victim should be listened to. The victim should know the outcome and be told how to appeal.”
– Victim, Victim Focus Group
Conclusion
The process we have discussed is the best-case scenario and involves agencies using best practices when conducting ASB Case Reviews. Unfortunately, not all victims experience the best-case scenario. So, if you require any advice or guidance regarding anti-social behaviour and/or the ASB Case Review, please get in touch.