Community trigger

Anti-social behaviour is any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages or destroys another person's quality of life.

Community triggers will make it easier for victims and communities to get this behaviour stopped.

The community trigger has been created to give victims and communities the right to demand that persistent anti-social behaviour is dealt with.

It is a new provision in the GOV.UK - Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.

Who can use the community trigger?

Any victim of anti-social behaviour or any person acting on behalf of a victim, for example a family member, friend, carer, councillor, MP or other professional person.

This is intended to ensure that all victims are able to use the Community Trigger. However, the victim's consent should be sought by the person using the Community Trigger on their behalf.

When can the community trigger be used?

If you (as an individual) have complained to us, the police and/or a registered housing provider (or social landlord) three times about separate incidents in the last six months, and you think that no action has been taken.

If you (as an individual) have complained to us, the police and/or a registered housing provider once about an incident or crime motivated by hatred (Hate Incident / Crime) in the last 6 months and you consider there has been no action taken.

How to activate the Community Trigger

Community trigger isn't a first port-of-call; it's to be used if you believe that there has been a failure to respond to your complaint.

The community trigger won't replace organisations' own complaints procedures, and you'd still have the opportunity to complain to the Ombudsman or Independent Police Complaints Commission if you are unhappy about the service you have received from an individual officer or service.

Please complete our online form.

Activate the Community Trigger

What happens next?

Once you have activated a Community Trigger, we will ask the agencies involved to provide details of your complaints and the actions that they have considered and taken - This can take up to 15 working days.

You will be informed whether or not the trigger threshold has been met. If met, a case review will be undertaken by the partner agencies - This will take place at a monthly meeting. Agencies will share information related to the case, review what action has previously been taken and decide whether additional actions are possible.

The review encourages a problem-solving approach aimed at dealing with some of the most persistent, complex cases of anti-social behaviour;

The applicant is informed of the outcome of the review. Where further actions are necessary an action plan will be discussed with the applicant, including timescales after the review meeting.

If the applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of the review, they are able to request a second stage review of their case. This will include senior managers from any relevant agency. The applicant will be contacted within 20 days with the outcome of the second stage review.

Please Note: At the monthly meeting when a case review is carried out recommendations may be made involving other organisations. They are not obliged to carry out any recommendations, however they should consider them and may be challenged if they choose not to carry them out without good reason.