Customer Services
Support and Enforcement
Support
Such support could include:
- Dealing with the complaint promptly
- Keeping complainants and witnesses fully informed and involved.
- Always doing what we say we will do.
- Providing extra security to the home (such as, better locks, door chain, spy-hole) if there is a real threat of violence or actual violence.
- Arranging extra patrols in the area.
- Arranging help through Victim Support (as well as offering general practical and emotional support, Victim Support offers a comprehensive service to victims and witnesses attending Court).
- Providing interpreters on request for people who do not speak, or only speak limited English or who are hearing impaired.
- Briefing on what will happen in court.
- Arranging transport for or accompanying witnesses to court.
- Taking legal action to protect witnesses where appropriate.
- Arranging rehousing as a last resort if there is a very real threat of violence or actual violence.
Domestic Violence – The Sanctuary Scheme
The Sanctuary Scheme is an initiative designed to help victims of domestic violence, or hate crime to feel safe in their own homes and prevent them from becoming voluntarily homeless. Escaping domestic violence or other threatening hate crime often necessitates leaving home or finding alternative accommodation. Often victims are removed from family and friends and the support networks which assist them and causes more stress and anxiety for the victim.
The scheme provides a specially designated space or room within the home which is fitted and equipped with additional physical security measures, such as extra locks on windows and doors, fire hammers and fire blankets and emergency lighting. This allows the victim to call and wait for the arrival of the police safely inside the sanctuary space.
The Sanctuary Scheme is not an immediate emergency response but acts as part of the long-term safety planning process. The scheme may not be appropriate in all instances but will be tailored to accommodate the needs and circumstances of the individuals involved and include a comprehensive risk assessment, which also offers practical advice on personal safety outside the home. The police community safety unit or victim support will usually be the referral agency for such a measure to be considered.
There are a number of sanctions or tools that could be used to alleviate anti-social behaviour, below are just a few examples:
Acceptable Behaviour Agreements (ABAs)
An ABA is a voluntary agreement that puts limits on the offender’s behaviour in a signed agreement. They are normally drawn up by Council officers and the Police together with the offender. They are often used with young people. ABA might cover issues such as:
- The volume or timing of music being played
- The use of offensive or threatening language
- Places or people that the person must avoid
- An ABA is not legally binding but can be used in a civil court when applying for an Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO) or possession proceedings. ABAs initially last for a six-month period and then reviewed.
Parenting Contracts and Parenting Orders
A Parenting Contract is a formal way of making parents accountable for the offending behaviour of their children. It is an agreement between a council officer (Youth Offending Team worker) and the parents and is designed to provide the necessary support to help parents manage and control their child’s misbehaviour.
A Parenting Order is issued by a criminal court, family court or Magistrates’ court acting under jurisdiction and can be applied for when parents are unwilling to co-operate and refuse to enter into a parenting contract. A Parenting Order specifies particular actions, which require the parents to exercise control over the child’s behaviour such as ensuring they go to school every day, or are home at a certain time each evening.
Dispersal Orders
Dispersal Orders can be exercised in designated areas where there is persistent anti-social behaviour. Groups of two or more individuals maybe dispersed for up to 24 hours if proved to be causing intimidation or harassment. The designated areas can be classified for up to six months and renewed if necessary.
For more informantion, contact us.
Circle energy savers
- Get handy energy-saving tips from our Energy Savers website >
- Watch our energy saving films >
House Exchange
Click house exchange website for details of how you can join the scheme and exchange your home.
