ASB Case Review (Community Triggers): tackling persistent Anti-Social Behaviour

The ASB Case Review, also know as the Community Trigger, is a process designed to give victims of persistent ant-social behaviour the opportunity to be heard and receive appropriate support to resolve problems. The process was introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, 2014.

ASB is defined as any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages or destroys another person’s quality of life. (HM government). More information about ASB and the Community Trigger can be found on the ASB Help website.

Victims of ASB will be able to use the ASB Case Review in the event that they feel that agencies have not taken action in respect of their complaint.  Relevant partners include local councils, Essex Police, health providers and registered social housing providers, and these agencies will have a duty to undertake a review when the case meets the defined threshold.

In Essex, a person can normally use the ASB Case Review process if they have suffered three incidents of ASB within the last six months and believe inadequate action has been taken.  However, if the ASB is of a Hate Crime nature, then the threshold will usually be one incident within the last six months where the victim considers inadequate action has been taken.

Local authorities are required to publicise details of how an ASB case review can be initiated in their area, including providing appropriate contact details.

More information and details of how to initiate an ASB Case Review in your area can be found on your council or unitary authority’s website.  The list below provides links for each area in Essex (reviewed June 2021):

Local Authority area	Website
Basildon	http://www.basildon.gov.uk/article/5331/Request-An-Anti-social-Behaviour-Case-Review
Braintree	Antisocial behaviour case review – Antisocial behaviour – Braintree District Council
Brentwood	Anti-social behaviour case review – Brentwood Borough Council
Castle Point	http://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/request-an-anti-social-behaviour-asb-case-review
Chelmsford	https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/communities/community-safety/anti-social-behaviour-and-hate-crime/
Colchester	· Colchester Borough Council
Epping Forest	https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/crime-and-safety/request-a-community-trigger/
Harlow	Antisocial behaviour | Harlow Council
Maldon	Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) case review | Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) case review | Maldon District Council
Rochford	https://www.rochford.gov.uk/anti-social-behaviour/request-anti-social-behaviour-case-review
Southend-on-Sea	https://www.southend.gov.uk/asbreview
Tendring	http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/community/crime-community-safety/request-anti-social-behaviour-case-review
Thurrock	https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/anti-social-behaviour/anti-social-behaviour-case-review
Uttlesford	https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/article/5564/Request-An-Anti-Social-Behaviour-ASB-Case-Review

ASB Help also have information about the ASB Case Review process and a directory of local council websites; https://asbhelp.co.uk/community-trigger/community-trigger-directory/

If you are unhappy with the conclusion of the review, you are able to appeal to the chair of your local Community Safety Partnership, and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will be notified.

The local PFCC must also be consulted on the ASB Case Review procedure when it is established and whenever the procedure is reviewed.

In Essex, we have made provision for the PFCC to be notified of appeals by the Chair of the local Community Safety Partnership, acting as an independent body if necessary.