What Sutton Housing Partnership do to tackle serious ASB?

Legal action is seen as a last resort and the options open to the Council include:

Mediation
Mediation is a confidential and voluntary process by which a neutral third party intervenes in a dispute.  Trained mediators, who are usually volunteers themselves, work with both parties in an impartial way to reach an agreement which is acceptable to both.  We are able to refer suitable cases to the Merton and Sutton Mediation Scheme.

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs)
An ABC is a contract of good behaviour between the Council, the Police, other partner agencies and the person responsible for anti-social behaviour.

Warning Letters
Sometimes a warning letter from the Council will resolve the problem.

Injunctions
An injunction is a court order used to restrain anti-social behaviour and may exclude a person from a particular area.

Notice of Seeking Possession/Possession Action
A Notice of Seeking Possession can be served to commence the legal process to evict a tenant for nuisance.  If a possession order is granted the tenant can be evicted.  Sometimes the court will grant a suspended possession order and if the problem reoccurs a warrant can be sought to evict the tenant.

Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO)
Introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, this is a community-based order to restrain anti-social behaviour, which can be made against anyone over the age of 10 and lasts for a minimum of 2 years.  A breach of the order is a criminal offence.  Interim ASBO's can be sought and the police can apply for an ASBO on conviction for an offence involving anti-social behaviour.

Environmental Health Action

Environmental Health Officers can serve Noise Abatement Notices to prevent noise nuisance and if the notice is breached, prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 with fines up to £5000.

Please use the links on the right hand side for additional information about anti-social behaviour