Antisocial behaviour nightmare...

[ar1607]

I am really stuck and don't know where to turn next, I need some advice.

 

I moved into this property in east London in July 2009. It's owned by a housing association. Ever since I moved in I have been having a real problem with Asian youth (gangs of 10 -12 guys anywhere between 15 - 20 years old) standing outside my door (2 meters from it actually). They arrive around 8 - 9pm, bring vodka, porn magazines, sometimes food, they shout and scream proportionate to the amount of alcohol they consume. It goes on every night now since the beginning of March, they stay until 1am. I called the Antisocial behaviour team, the police (was told that unless I get hurt they will not come out!), my housing association, eventually now I emailed and send a letter to my local MP in a desperate bid to get someone's attention. I even went to a meeting in my local centre with the local police and reported it many times to my local police station (which by the way is open 8am - 4pm), it's a joke..

 

I can't relax at home, I am scared all the time, I don't come out of the house because of them, not even to the shop, I don't sleep until after they've gone, I am super stressed. This is EVERY NIGHT. My neighbour came out a few times to tell them to go so they laughed at him and started throwing empty vodka bottles at him.

 

I live alone, I'm a single female. This situation is driving me insane, I can't move at the moment and I feel really paralysed and impotent. There is no one to help.

 

I am going to my GP tomorrow to get some sleeping pills and deal with the stress. I want to contact a victim support organisation. In fact I just want to sue my housing association because they have been aware of the problem for so long and have done nothing.. I mean nothing, not even a sign 'No loitering' or 'No alcohol'.. They asked me to fill out some Incident Reports and that was it.

 

What can I do? Where else can I turn? I entertain thoughts of buying a gun or hiring some big dudes to beat them up a few times so they never come back.. But it's not my style, I just can't retaliate with violence, it never ends..

 

Still hopeful

 

ar1607

[cerberusalert]

Have you contacted your local Councillor & MP?

[rebel11]

These people should help with the Housing Association side,

Tenants : TSA :

Contact us : TSA :

It might be an idea to keep a diary, I know you shouldn't have to, but

it might be useful to have have dates times.

 

Anti-social behaviour : Directgov - Young people

City of London Police - East Area

Another thing you could do is find out which community the youths belong too, pop over to the local community centre or temple, tell them the situation, ask them to pop along and see if they can take some action.

Edited April 15, 2010 by rebel11

[Kate987123]

Hi ar1607,

 

Sorry to hear about the situation you're currently in. As rebel11 suggested, you should definitely begin by keeping a diary so you have some recorde evidence to give to the police, your MP etc. Perhaps you could speak to your neighbours and ask them to do the same?

 

Something else you might want to consider is having CCTV installed. I know this sounds dramatic and like a last resort but it seems like you are unlikely to get anything done until you can provide evidence. I've just had a quick search online and there are units available for around £30-£40. Obviously I'm not aware of your financial situation so I'm not sure if you are in a position to do this but, again, maybe it's something you and your neighbour could do together? (Please note I have never bought CCTV equipment so have no idea how good the models in this price range are).

 

There is some information on ASBO's here Anti Social Behaviour Orders and it lists the types of behaviour considered to be antisocial. It sounds like ths youths are committing an offence so you should be able to get something done to stop, you may just have to fight to get heard.

 

Hope you managed to get it sorted asap, good luck!

[SOD'EM]

According to numerous TV adverts and billboard posters, the police in any given area are spending 80% of their time on the beat so there really should be no problem.

 

Well, that's the silly part of my post out the way:p.

 

I live in a similar area and Anti Social Behaviour is rife and I too fear going out after dark. I would try going the way as suggested above but point out that they are now obligated to look into the matter. The fact they have previously thrown bottles at someone is an offence in itself and the police should have no hesitation in at least driving past.

 

If a policeman is in sight, then there is very rarely any bother.

 

80% of their time on the beat???????

 

Where did they get that figure from:confused:.

 

Hope things work out. Get some Neighbourhood watch window stickers and ask other people to display them too. May only be a slight deterent, but you never know.

 

The other problem is, if they did eventually move on, the chances are they would just be standing outside some other innocent persons house.

[ar1607]

Thank you so much for your replies.

 

I got an email from my local MP saying he will contact the safer neighbourhood police team leader and ask that an officer visits me as a matter of urgency plus will write to my housing association and council anti-social behaviour team.. I've done all that! Many times.. At the beginning my housing association were writing to me using my first name, when I threatened with legal action I'm now Miss.. But nothing is happening, not even a sign 'No loitering' or 'No alcohol'.. I can't believe this. I call Anti-social behaviour team every night and report it. I just get a letter next day saying they have received my report. I also wrote to the editor of East End Life, a local paper but received no reply, I somehow think they are all connected and will cover their backs. The only thing for me right now is to look for another place. Or get used to it

 

I would like to buy a CCTV and I could afford it, but I just don't see the point, I see no action from authorities, so who is going to look through the tapes? I will end up watching it on those days when the guys have something better to do so I don't miss them? I have never been in a situation like that. I have never lived in a really poor area and I had no idea what goes on here. It's like a third world country, only in the centre of one of the wealthiest countries, next to Canary Wharf and the Olympic village of 2012...

 

Thank you so much for all the links, I will definitely check them out, and see if there is one I have not tried yet..

[SOD'EM]

The idead of CCTV is more of a deterent. You can buy dummy ones that just have a light on them. The idea is if they see (or think) they are being watched or recorded, then they will move on (I would). You can buy dummy cameras for about £10. Also, if they try trashing it, it only cost £10.

[Kate987123]

Sorry to hear you aren't getting an effective response from the Police, the council, your MP or your HA.

 

If you can't get your HA to agree to move you then I think the only way to get anything done will be to badger those at the council etc until action is taken. (I realise you have been in contact with them numerous times etc so it must be unbelievably frustrating).

 

However, these youths are displaying threatening and anti-social behaviour and should be stopped. End of the matter. Have you been to the Polic station in person? Perhaps going in and talking to someone face to face and explained that you are in fear of your safety might help? Ask them to explain the procedure to you and what evidence you need in order for them to act? Ask them if they will prosecute if you have CCTV evidence?

 

Obviously you shouldn't have to do any of this but if you can't move house then you need to get them stopped and the least the Police can do is act upon your complaints. Also, make sure you have the non-emergency number for your local police force and phone them when the youths are displaying anti-social and threatening behaviour. Keep a diary of every call and it will be logged on their sytems.

 

Hope you can get some help from the authorities soon.

[ar1607]

I actually like the idea of a fake CCTV.. But can I install one just like that, by myself? Am I allowed? I'm sure it will get trashed very quickly but I can buy 10, maybe it's cheaper in bulk.

 

The area outside my door was raided by police last night.. I was not home but my neighbour called me to say someone got arrested because they refused to move and were verbally abusive I think. So something has worked, I assume I was lucky it's election times and my MP was trying to impress voters .. I really hope they don't come back, it's soooo quiet and peaceful today, I forgot it's supposed to be like that..

[Kate987123]

That's a really good point about your MP acting as it's just before election time - now would be a brilliant time to keep contacting them or turning up at the meetings they hold etc (especially the current MP who will be trying to get re-elected). If you explain your situation and that you have contacted him repeatedly in front of a room full of voters I bet he will get something done about it!!

 

As far as I'm aware you are within your rights to install CCTV, fake or real, as long as it doesn't compromise privacy. As you would be filming people when they are in public (or not actually filming) then you should be fine. To avoid them getting trashed you can buy wire casing which you put up around the camera so no-one can get to it - might be cheaper than replacing the units?

 

I'm not sure if this would be any good but maybe you could do the same thing advised in the money forums to get a company to listen....ensure all contact in writing and sent by recorded delivery? At least those that receive it will be in no doubt that you mean business and can't deny that they have received the letters. After a few of these you can make it very public that you have reported the matter numerous times etc, spent your own money on CCTV because it's not been dealt with, been very stressed and fear for your own safety etc etc. I'm not sure it would be effective but it might be worth a go? Seems to be the only way to get companies to respond so may work for councils too!

 

Glad to hear the police did turn up last night and respond to a complaint..also glad you weren't in at the time so didn't have to witness it all

[rebel11]

Get the council to install this:-

 

http://www.compoundsecurity.co.uk/

 

Councils are installing this up and down the country, tell the police you want them to install this.

Apparently only people under 24 can here the sound, apparently it's very annoying.

[MARTIN3030]

I actually like the idea of a fake CCTV.. But can I install one just like that, by myself? Am I allowed? I'm sure it will get trashed very quickly but I can buy 10, maybe it's cheaper in bulk.

 

The area outside my door was raided by police last night.. I was not home but my neighbour called me to say someone got arrested because they refused to move and were verbally abusive I think. So something has worked, I assume I was lucky it's election times and my MP was trying to impress voters .. I really hope they don't come back, it's soooo quiet and peaceful today, I forgot it's supposed to be like that..

 

 

Poundland and other Poundshops are selling dummy dome cameras with a flashing Led for a quid.

only 2 screws to fit them.

I would suggest NOT putting batteries in for use of Led as no pro dome cameras have flashing Leds-so its a giveaway that its a dummy.

[MARTIN3030]

See my stickie here;

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/general-consumer-issues/170875-data-protection-cctv-your.html

 

It outlines some good info for CCTV and the DPA.

[MARTIN3030]

Have moved your thread here.