Dismissed and struggling to cope — the torment of persistent anti-social behaviour on ‘forgotten’ victims revealed in new report

• Survey of 500+ victims finds 63% still face unresolved issues despite reporting to authorities; 2 in 5 cases ongoing for over five years
• Victims targeted for hours, day and night: many victims developed serious mental health issues as a result
• Victims’ Commissioner: “Victims are being pushed to the brink”

A newly published report by the Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, captures the grim reality for victims of persistent anti-social behaviour in England and Wales. Five years after Baroness Newlove’s landmark report, Living a Nightmare, first highlighted the plight of victims of persistent anti-social behaviour victims and called for change, her latest report reveals no meaningful progress has been made.

Drawing on more than 500 first-hand and hard-hitting victim accounts, the report unveils several stark findings.

Most victims who participated in the research reported being tormented for years. Despite reporting the anti-social behaviour to a responsible agency, such as the police, local authority or housing association, 63% of victims said they were still being targeted when replying to the survey. A staggering 40% of those who had reported the behaviour were still suffering from issues that predate Baroness Newlove’s 2019 report. Less than a third said they have received any help or support.

Sharing their experience, one victim said: My house used to be, a place of solace and comfort, really. And then it became, I think, like a prison.

Victims’ pleas are often ignored or go unheard. 4 in 5 victims (83%) reported the anti-social behaviour to the police, local authorities or housing associations in hope of resolving the issue. Yet for a majority of victims, the abuse remained unresolved, and the report highlights several instances where victims were ignored or dismissed by the responsible agencies, with one victim even recounting being laughed at by a police officer.

One victim said: For three years at least, police didn’t do nothing. Nothing at all. They just told us not to react and just to report. (p. 18)

The report reveals that being persistently targeted by various forms of anti-social behaviour for hours day and night, over a prolonged period, takes a severe toll on victims. It affects many aspects of their daily lives, including their mental health and wellbeing. Victims who responded to the survey report the detrimental impact upon their sleep, relationships, and ability to work. Some suffered so greatly that they contemplated taking their own life.

One victim said: I suffered with really bad anxiety through it. It got to the point where I felt my mental health got that low, that I felt the only way out was the inevitable, you know. I didn’t want to be here anymore. That’s how bad it got. (p. 15)

Nearly 4 in 5 victims (78%) experienced at least two different types of anti-social behaviour – increasing to three different types for as many as 60% of those surveyed. They describe a combination of persistent noise nuisance, verbal abuse, harassment, and intimidation – the most common types of anti-social behaviours – often with no end in sight.

Some were left with no choice but to move house entirely to escape:

I’ve lived here 23 years. I would not have moved if it wasn’t for her…I’m actually waiting to move. We’re just waiting on an exchange date. That’s the only way I’m able to get out of it. (p. 16)

However, this option isn’t available to all victims and nor should it need to be. Yet in some cases, their situation has become so desperate, they feel forced to explore this last resort.

Other key findings include:

• Victims face numerous obstacles when trying to resolve anti-social behaviour, such as systemic inaction from responsible agencies, poor understanding among staff and a lack of agency collaboration.
• The process of reporting itself can have a negative impact on victims, leaving them feeling ignored, dismissed, or overburdened by excessive reporting requirements.  
• The Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review rarely resolves the issues victims face. Although meant to address anti-social behaviour, the mechanism lacks independence and meaningful victim engagement.

The findings come as the new government promises to “crack down on anti-social behaviour” in their manifesto and ‘first steps for change’ commitments.

Commenting on the report and its findings, the Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, said:

“Anti-social behaviour blights lives and communities. All too often it is not addressed effectively, often downplayed, and poorly understood. Despite my previous report setting out clear recommendations, I am disappointed that so little meaningful progress has been made. Too many victims continue to suffer, with many stuck in the same patterns of anti-social behaviour and facing the same perpetrators as five years ago. The time for empty promises is over – we now need real, tangible progress.”

Five years after her landmark report on anti-social behaviour, the Victims’ Commissioner has issued a renewed plea for action, including a series of victim-focused recommendations:

• Police need to identify patterns of anti-social behaviour offending and ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Victims of persistent anti-social behaviour must be granted their rights under the Victims’ Code, ensuring they have access to support services just like other crime victims.
• The ASB Case Review mechanism must be improved to effectively serve victims and resolve cases of anti-social behaviour.
• Victims should have a single point of contact throughout their case to stop them being passed from pillar to post. 

Commenting on the report, Harvi Saimbhi, Chief Executive at ASB Help, said:

“It is disappointing that five years on we are still inundated with reports of the devastating impact of anti-social behaviour and how victims are let down on a daily basis. Something simply has to change! We fully endorse the recommendations made in this report, as they underpin victims’ experiences and pleas for help. They also give much needed clarity and focus to partners across England and Wales and perhaps most importantly will empower victims and bring respite to those experiencing ASB. Now is the time for positive change.”

Rebecca Bryant, OBE, Chief Executive at Resolve, said:

“We know that it is often the ongoing, persistent, continuing anti-social behaviour that causes the most harm to victims. We fully support all the recommendations in this report, which, if implemented, would significantly fix the current system whereby many victims of harmful, persistent ASB are unable to access support.”

Baroness Newlove, continued:

“For me, anti-social behaviour is not a statistic. It is a lived experience; one I share with countless victims up and down the country. In 2007, a campaign of anti-social behaviour tore apart my family’s ordinary life and culminated with the senseless murder of my husband, Garry. My story is only unique in its tragic outcome. The relentless harassment, the ignored pleas for help, the sense of powerlessness – these are the grim realities countless ordinary families face every day.

Garry’s death should have been a turning point. Yet, 17 years later, I fear too little has changed. Victims are being failed and pushed to the brink. We urgently need a system that not only protects victims but also restores communities and transforms homes from places of fear into places of sanctuary.”

• Watch the film
• Download the report
• Read the blog
• For media enquiries and other information, please contact Clara Long, clara.long@victimscommissioner.org.uk or 07394 030 457.
• ASB Help is a specialist charity providing advice and support to victims of anti-social behaviour, helping them understand their rights and how to take action.
• Resolve is a charity dedicated to addressing anti-social behaviour through mediation, advice, and support. They work with housing associations, local authorities, and other stakeholders to resolve community conflicts.