Antisocial behaviour

About antisocial behaviour

We want you, your family and neighbours to enjoy living in your home and community.

We take reports of antisocial behaviour very seriously and will take the necessary steps to protect residents.

If a crime is taking place or if you feel that you or someone else is in immediate danger, always call 999.

If it is a non-emergency or you would like to report antisocial behaviour to the police, please call 101 or contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Antisocial behaviour is unwelcome activity that causes alarm and distress to people, including:

  • verbal or physical abuse
  • criminal damage
  • vandalism and graffiti
  • noise nuisance
  • flytipping
  • threatening or intimidating behaviour
  • selling drugs
  • nuisance driving and nuisance vehicles
  • pets fouling public places
  • racial or sexual harassment
  • homophobic or other harassment towards members of the LGBT community.

How to report antisocial behaviour

You can report antisocial behaviour by contacting us during working hours (9am-5pm).

In an emergency at other times, please call 999.

When you report incidents of antisocial behaviour please try to provide as much information as possible. This should include:

  • what the problem is and how it affects you
  • who is causing the problem
  • how long the problem has been going on for
  • how many incidents have taken place (please provide times and dates if possible).

Action we will take

After you report antisocial behaviour we will arrange an interview with you. This will be within one working day for emergency cases and five working days for low risk cases.

Where appropriate, we will take immediate action to secure properties.

Your Housing Officer will offer you support and advice throughout the process. You can expect Phoenix to:

  • take all reports of antisocial behaviour, nuisance and harrassment seriously
  • act quickly and intervene as early as possible
  • keep you informed about the action we are taking.

Investigating antisocial behaviour

We will investigate the complaint by:

  • interviewing you and agreeing an action plan with you
  • putting an action plan in place, outlining what we will do
  • contacting and interviewing any witnesses
  • contacting the police and others, such as social services.

With your permission, we will interview those responsible. If there is proof that there has been antisocial behaviour, we will begin appropriate action. For example:

  • send the perpetrator a warning letter
  • refer them to mediation, if both parties agree
  • refer them to another agency for action to be taken, such as the police or social services
  • ask them to sign a contract to say they will change their behaviour and describe how they will do this.

Legal action

Although legal action is the last step, in serious cases we will take tenancy enforcement action. The actions we could take might include:

  • apply for an injunction
  • apply for an antisocial behaviour order
  • apply for possession (by serving a Notice Seeking Possession) to evict them from their home.

We can evict people from their homes in appropriate cases where we have tried all other solutions or the problem is very serious. We need strong evidence to be able to do this, and it is up to the court to decide whether or not to make a possession order.

We can provide you with support such as interpreters and assistance if the case goes to court. We will stay in regular contact with you and make sure you know what we are doing.

Domestic abuse

If you are experiencing domestic violence and are in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse. It is committed by someone close to you, such as a partner or family member and can include:

  • psychological abuse
  • physical abuse
  • sexual abuse
  • financial abuse
  • emotional abuse

Our first aim is always to minimise any risk of harm to residents (and their children) reporting domestic violence and abuse. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or worried about a neighbour or other Phoenix resident, please contact us. We are here to support you and will work with other agencies and professionals to keep our residents safe.

When you report a case of domestic abuse to Phoenix, we will arrange to meet with the victim within 24hours of the report in a private environment. Our specialist staff are trained and experienced in dealing with domestic abuse and will always support victims and survivors of domestic abuse sensitively, appropriately and in confidence.

Our support includes:

  • To provide support and advice on commencing legal action against perpetrators.
  • To see residents affected by domestic violence within 24 hours of the first report.
  • To make improvements to the security of your home.
  • To explore all available options to ensure the safety of residents affected by domestic violence
  • To keep in regular contact with residents affected by domestic violence.
  • To have accurate recording systems.
  • To signpost you to other organisations who can provide specialist support.

Phoenix works in partnership with local agencies to actively reduce the instances and impact of domestic violence. These include:

  • Lewisham Council
  • Metropolitan Police
  • Victim Support and Refuge Independent Domestic Violence Agency (IDVA) services.

For more information about our approach to managing and reducing the instance of domestic abuse cases and how we will work with other agencies and partners to ensure the ongoing safety of victims or survivors of domestic abuse, please read our Domestic Abuse policy.

If you are experiencing domestic violence and are in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

For help and support contact:

  • Athena Confidential, non-judgmental support to those living in the London Borough of Lewisham who are experiencing gender-based violence. Call 0800 112 4052 or email lewishamvawg@reguge.org.uk
  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline Free, confidential 24hour helpline. Call 0808 2000 247 or chat to staff online Monday to Friday from 3-6pm.
  • Bright Sky  A free to download mobile app, launched in partnership with the Vodafone Foundation, providing support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. Download on the app store or google play.
  • Refuge National charity providing help for men, women and children experiencing domestic abuse. You can speak to Refuge by contacting the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
  • Men’s Advice Line Free helpline for men experiencing domestic abuse. Call 0808 8010327 Monday to Friday from 9am – 8pm or email info@mensadviceline.org.uk for a response Monday to Friday from 9am – 8pm and on weekends from 10am – 12noon and 4pm-6pm.
  • The Havens. The Havens are specialist centres in London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
  • Government advice and guidance during the Coronavirus crisis  Household isolation instructions as a result of coronavirus do not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse.