To ensure that Dumfries and Galloway Council is using resources effectively and implementing appropriate control measures, an annual Antisocial Behaviour Strategic Assessment is carried out, in order to identify new and emerging trends and threats within our region. This process ensures that community concerns are addressed and continuing needs are met.

There are a range of team and agencies who deal with antisocial behaviour including:

• Community Safety Team
• Police Scotland 
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• Registered Social Landlords
• Private Landlords
• Victim Support
• Citizens Advice Bureau

A multi agency effort can be used if one agency is unable to effectively address complaints through its own resources/procedures; this approach can often lead to long term and sustainable solutions.

Community Safety Team

The Community Safety Team was created by combining existing Council Services, including the Antisocial Behaviour Team, Community Wardens, Environmental Enforcement Officers, Off Road Car Parking Inspectors and Domestic Noise Enforcement Officers into a single service which will be managed by a single Council Department within DGFirst. The team covers the whole region and will enable identification of hot spot areas which can be targeted, providing a more effective and responsive service.

Working closely with partner agencies, Community Safety Officers and Community Safety Enforcement Officers provide a useful link between residents, businesses and the various services who tackle antisocial behaviour.

The Community Safety Team are responsible for:

• Antisocial Behaviour Case Management 
• Investigating and enforcing penalties for dog fouling 
• Enforcing penalties for fly-tipping
• Enforcing penalties for littering 
• Removing abandoned vehicles 
• Recovering discarded needles
• Investigating domestic noise nuisance 
• Conducting Council car park inspections and enforcing penalties 
• Providing a mediation service

All Community Safety Team staff will liaise when required with appropriate partner agencies to deliver Community Safety. However, it should be noted that staff in the Community Safety Team are Authorised Officers and are capable of issuing Fixed Penalty Notices.

Victim Support

Victim Support Scotland is an independent voluntary organisation with a strong track record in providing practical and emotional support to victims of crime in Scotland.

Victims of antisocial behaviour can experience feelings of isolation and vulnerability. Victim Support is therefore happy to receive referrals for its services, from individuals, or from any of the local agencies, including Police, Registered Social Landlords and the Community Safety Team.

If you have been affected by crime or antisocial behaviour, are there for you on 0845 603 9213 or visit the Victim Support website.

Registered Social Landlords

Social housing in Dumfries and Galloway is no longer provided by the Council. Instead, it is provided by local companies, called Registered Social Landlords (RSLs).

In Dumfries and Galloway, the leading social housing providers are:

• Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership 
• Loreburn Housing Association
• Irvine Housing Association 
• Home Scotland

Whilst subscribing to the region wide antisocial behaviour strategy, these RSLs also have their own antisocial behaviour policies, and will act to discourage antisocial behaviour within, or in the environs of, their tenancies and developments. Registered Social Landlords have specific enforcement powers granted by the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004.

Like the Police and Council, RSLs can apply to the Sheriff Court for an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) in respect of either their tenants, or people causing antisocial behaviour residing with their tenants or visiting their properties.

For further information about your registered social landlord and what it can do to eliminate antisocial behaviour, please contact them direct:

• Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership - 0800 011 3447 or 0845 606 3447
• Loreburn Housing Association - 0845 100 0018
• Irvine Housing Association - 01387 270200
• Home Scotland 0800 587 4218

 
Private Landlords

Private landlords have specific responsibilities to manage and reduce antisocial behaviour occurring within their properties.

Private landlords must first of all Register themselves and their properties with their local Council. This Register can be viewed on-line at Landlord Registration Scotland and is part of a National Registration Scheme.

An important part of this requirement, introduced by Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004, is the need for the local authority to satisfy itself that the applicant landlord is a fit and proper person.

It is an offence to let out a residential property if that property has not been registered.

For further details on the Register of Private Landlords in Dumfries and Galloway, please contact Environmental Standards on 030 33 33 3000 or visit the Landlord Registration Scotland.

Private landlords must also take responsibility under Part 7 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004, for the behaviour of their tenants, and in the most serious of cases, may be served with a formal Antisocial Behaviour Notice by the Council, requiring them to do so. Failure to carry out the terms of an Antisocial Behaviour Notice is a criminal offence.

Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice Bureau aim to empower you by providing the information you need to solve your own problems and by signposting you to appropriate advice when necessary. 

The Citizen's Advice Bureau website contains useful information about antisocial behaviour which helps you to have a better understanding of your rights and entitlements, and also to take the first steps in resolving your problems.

• Get guidance on antisocial behaviour from the Citizens Advice Bureau