Problems with noise and anti-social behaviour

We believe everyone deserves to live a quite life free from harassment, excessive noise and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Anti-social behaviour in your community can make life miserable. ASB is unacceptable behaviour that comes in many forms – such as noise, abusive behaviour, littering, or illegal drug taking – and does not need to be tolerated.

This page will help you understand what you can do if you are experiencing problems in and around the home you live in.

• If you have been the victim of crime 
• What is Antisocial behaviour (ASB) ? 
• What is noise nuisance ?
• How to report anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance 
• What is Operation Oak? 
• How to report an incident 
• The Community Trigger

If you have been the victim of crime

If you've been a victim of crime you should report this to the police on 101, or 999 if it's an emergency.

What is antisocial behaviour (ASB) and noise nuisance

We are determined to help you lead a peaceful life, free from any harassment and distress caused by a minority of antisocial people.

We can investigate antisocial behaviour caused by known individuals, with incidents such as:

• abuse, intimidation or harassment
• threats or use of violence
• vehicle related nuisance
• repeated abusive language or behaviour;
• significantly overgrown gardens and refuse accumulation

If you’re experiencing antisocial behaviour, you could try and talk to the person responsible. They may not realise their actions are affecting you. Only do this if you feel safe and comfortable.

If you are not able to resolve the problem by speaking to the person, you can report it to us.  If you are a tenant of a registered housing provider, please contact them directly or if you do not live in Newcastle please contact the council you pay council tax to.

We deal with complaints from Newcastle homeowners and private tenants, quickly dealing with troublemakers and using a range of solutions to protect our most vulnerable residents from harm. In most cases we will resolve reports informally and without the need to use any legal powers, however there are a range of powers available if required.

For more information see the:

• Newcastle City Council anti-social behaviour policy

What is noise nuisance

One of the most common issues problems experienced by residents is noise nuisance. We all make noise in some way whether it be vacuuming or carrying out DIY in our home however the noise we make can affect those people around us. Someone may not think they are being noisy, but what may not seem noisy to one person can greatly distress someone else, especially if this is during quiet times such as through the night. Excessive noise can cause sleepless nights, irritation and stress and can often lead to conflict with neighbours and communities.

Types of noise nuisance

• neighbours' music systems, radios or televisions
• noisy parties
• misfiring intruder or fire alarms
• construction and demolition including DIY
• barking dogs

What we are unable to deal with

• actions that we are likely to consider to be normal everyday activities or household noise such as doors closing, talking, creaky floorboards.
• child noise
• children playing ball games
• actions which amount to people generally being unpleasant to each other;
• legally parked vehicles;
• problems caused by your neighbour's pets, not including dangerous or barking dogs  

How to report anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance

If you are experiencing anti-social behaviour or noise nuisance and would like this to be investigated, please:

• report anti-social behaviour or noise nuisance online

For more information on non-domestic noise please see our page on:

• noise nuisance

What is Operation Oak?

Operation Oak is a police-led initiative funded by Northumbria and Newcastle Universities. It is a dedicated resource which carries out high-visibility patrols in residential areas that are heavily populated by students, such as Jesmond, Heaton, Sandyford, Shieldfield and Ouseburn.

The operation is aimed at tackling student-related antisocial behaviour and/or disorder along with addressing any vulnerabilities or safeguarding concerns and offering crime prevention advice.

Operation Oak currently operates on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, from 10pm to 4am.

How to report an incident

In the case of an Emergency you should always call 999.

If you feel there is a serious problem, please contact Northumbria Police by calling 101 or using the Northumbria Police online reporting tool. Any incidents which are reported via 101 will be directed immediately to Operation Oak officers on nights when the patrol is in operation.

You can also:

• report less serious incidents to the police online

Regardless of whether you live within the area of operation oak or not, if you are regularly suffering noise nuisance or anti-social behaviour Newcastle City Council can investigate and take any appropriate action.

The Community Trigger

A Community Trigger (also known as an ASB Case Review) is an important statutory safety net for victims and communities experiencing ASB, to request a review of their ASB case and to bring agencies together to take a joined up, problem solving approach to find a solution for the victim(s). 

An activation should be made where the threshold is met and where victims are unsatisfied with the response they have received from the relevant agencies. 

In essence, the Community Trigger process is designed to put victims at the heart of the case investigation process and for agencies to ensure you feel supported and listened to.

For more information on, and how to request a case review see our page on:

• the Community Trigger

Improving community safety

Our £1.5 million Better Lives, Safer Communities scheme aims to:

• tackle anti-social behaviour
• engage with communities
• work together to create cleaner, safer neighbourhoods

Empowering People in Communities (EPiC)

As part of the programme we launched EPiC projects in Elswick, West Denton and Walker.

EPiC aims to:

• rebuild community spirit
• work with partners to tackle issues that matter most to residents
• consult with communities and ensure we hear residents’ voices
• ensure services meet the needs of the neighbourhoods
• build relationships with community groups that are harder to reach
• support residents to help make their neighbourhoods better, safer and more sustainable

Each area has a Community Safety Development Officer. It is their job to work closely with the community and partners including:

• the police
• fire service
• housing providers
• charities

You can find out more about the EPiC projects at:

• EPiC Elswick on Facebook
• EPiC West Denton on Facebook
• EPiC Walker on Facebook

Community safety patrols

We also have community safety support officers who patrol and engage with residents. They patrol in:

• Blakelaw
• City Centre
• Cowgate
• Kenton
• Lemington
• Newburn
• Scotswood
• Throckley