02/07/2026
As part of we’re shining a spotlight on our Community Safety Units, who work hard to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in local neighbourhoods.
Sergeant Gary Yam, who heads up the team in Three Rivers, explains more:
❓ Tell us about the role of the CSU.
The CSU has three core roles – anti-social behaviour, licensing and hate crime. ASB and licensing are closely associated with the local authority and ASB particularly often requires partnership working.
All three strands bring together particular skillsets for dedicated hate crime, ASB and licensing officers. Many of the issues dealt with are long term and benefit from the capabilities of the CSU.
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❓ For people who might not realise, what counts as anti-social behaviour?
ASB is one of the most misunderstood concepts in policing and very often the term is misapplied. It can be thought of as behaviour that is not necessarily criminal, but nonetheless has a negative impact on others, and in many cases, this can be a serious impact. Examples include aggressive or raucous behaviour toward neighbours or the wider public, deliberate nuisance behaviours, pestering others in public, and inconsiderate use of motor vehicles. (There’s lots of information on our website where the public can find out about what it is and what agencies it can be reported to – see links below).
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❓ What impact can ASB have on victims and communities?
It can be severe and be ruinous to the lives and livelihoods of some. I have personally dealt with campaigns of deliberate harassment where multiple persons have been caused to leave or sell their homes due to the behaviour of one individual.
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❓ What powers/tactics are available to tackle ASB?
The main police powers derive from the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. This provides police (and local authority) powers for injunctions, Community Protection Notices, closure power, Criminal Behaviour Orders and Public Space Protection Orders. There are also specific powers around licensing and environmental health.
ASB powers can be wide ranging and are quite flexible due to the non-specific nature of ASB.
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❓ Any examples of good success stories around ASB?
We have recently had success in dealing with a rogue house of multiple occupancy (HMO) and achieved a long-term solution to the issues.
We have also achieved long term resolutions in removing persistent ASB offenders.
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❓ How important is partnership working in tackling ASB?
Many ASB issues are housing based and, for these, partnership working is essential. In addition, the local authority takes the lead in statutory ASB review.
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❓ What role can residents play in helping to tackle ASB and why is it important that people report it?
It is essential that reporting and logging of ASB is carried out. It is extremely common for ASB victims to state that they have several months and multiple reports of behaviour, but cannot actually evidence this, leading to delays in problem solving and resolutions.
