Common Examples of Anti-social Behaviour

“Anti-social behaviour is a community issue and it’s got to be a community solution, so we must all do our part.” That’s according to Michael Weeks, Bermuda’s Minister of National Security – and it’s hard to disagree with him.

Working together to combat a threat is a much more effective way than going it alone. Affecting every member of a community, anti-social behaviour makes people feel scared, angry, isolated, frustrated and intimidated.

Let’s have a look at 5 anti-social behaviour examples that can disrupt the peace in your community.

1. Excessive noise

People can tolerate a lot of things, but noise disturbances are not one of them. Individuals or groups of people shouting or swearing can have a huge effect on communities, bringing tension and a bad atmosphere.

Loud music can definitely annoy your neighbours, especially if they need peace and quiet to put their kids to bed or if they’re elderly and sensitive to noise. Or they might simply appreciate peace and quiet after a busy day.

Rowdy parties, drinking in the street and driving cars loudly at night are all classed as excessive noise. Examples of anti-social behaviour that are a nuisance more than malicious is building work being carried out late at night or noisy fireworks at an inappropriate hour.

2. Bullying and Intimidation

Anti-social behaviour is used to spread fear and distress to scare an individual. Leaving victims feeling anxious, isolated and sometimes too scared to leave their homes. Intimidation can happen either face-to-face, through vandalism of your property or even through social media. The effects are incredibly debilitating, leading to ill physical and mental health as the victim’s daily life worsens.

3. Harassment

Many examples of anti-social behaviour include attacks on property. When residents are harassed, gardens can be vandalised and exterior walls damaged with graffiti. This type of anti-social behaviour can also be indiscriminate as public areas and buildings can be targeted. False reporting of fires can also be a form of harassment as emergency services can turn up at a particular house to find there is nothing wrong.

Other types of harassment include:

• Malicious phone calls, texts or emails
• Online abuse
• Stalking
• Violence or the threat of violence to another person

4. Keeping unsafe dogs

Individuals who carry out anti-social behaviour can use their dogs to contribute to the disruption.

Dogs that are deemed aggressive or classified as a ’dangerous dog’ include, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers or American Bulldogs. The owner’s legal responsibility is to ensure they are in full control of their dog 24/7, so they are not running around the neighbourhood with the potential to bite or cause traffic accidents.

Although many dogs are not aggressive, they can be a nuisance if they constantly bark, roam free or do their business in neighbours’ gardens and in the street. You may find yourself worried about children or grandchildren playing outside if a nuisance or aggressive dog is likely to be around.

5. Trespassing

This covers any situation where people are on a property without lawful permission. For example, groups of young people sitting on your wall or fence and being disruptive. It can also include individuals taking shortcuts through your garden without permission, possibly causing damage, intimidation or a disturbance.

Alternatively, anti-social behaviour can take the form of unauthorised campsites. Having a group of strangers set up camp in public beauty spots, the local park or even in your back garden is not what anyone wants. Incidents could happen if you decide to confront them, so it is better in this instance to call the police for help.

Help Crime Stoppers help you

If you would like further details, check out Crime Stoppers website for more anti-social behaviour examples. We are ready and waiting to help anyone who has been a victim of crime or witnessed crime in their community.

Many people want to help their community become safer but are unsure or scared to do so. Crime Stoppers’ anonymous service gives you a safe and confidential way to report your concerns with no fear of any consequences.

You can report crime through calling our confidential number on 800-8477 or filling in our anonymous online form if you prefer. You can be assured that you won’t be asked for any personal details and calls will not be recorded or traced.