OXFORD City Council will seek 'a balance' between sanctions and help for perpetrators of antisocial behaviour in the district. 

The council’s Antisocial Behaviour Policy 2022-25 has been updated as part of a review that must take place every three years with cabinet members accepting the most recent version at its meeting today. 

The policy lists a series of potential actions to prove and prevent cases of antisocial behaviour but also sets out that it is 'our policy is to take the lowest level of intervention suitable to the case'. 

Councillor Louise Upton, who represents Walton Manor, cabinet member for a safer, healthier Oxford, said: “If you are experiencing antisocial behaviour it can really blight your life so there is a huge responsibility on the council to deal with it.

“We do this in conjunction with partners but what we are looking at is our policy and procedures. Importantly, we set out what we can and cannot do, we have to be clear with the realistic expectations that people can have. 

The Labour councillor continued: “It also sets out what people can expect from us if they make a complaint, how we will deal with it. 

“It is a balance between dealing with problem behaviour to make life better for whoever is experiencing it but also recognising that the source of antisocial behaviour is often an individual who has problems, whether it is mental health, alcohol addiction.

“We need to deal with these things in a holistic way and that was a really welcome addition from the scrutiny committee.

“You see in our procedures the incremental way we deal with things and also how well trained our officers are in identifying when there are mental health issues and pointing people towards help when appropriate.

“We do have a number of diversionary activities that we can deploy to improve situations as well.”

Under the policy, the council commits to dealing with 'conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance' for people in their homes or any behaviour that does or could cause 'harassment, alarm or distress'.

Gripes that are not covered by the policy include children playing outside, boundary disputes or property matters between neighbours, the location of bins, matters relating to smoking or untidy gardens, noise from vehicles made through 'routine activities', 'reasonable living noise' such as lawn mowing, household DIY, crying, loud talking, toilets flushing, sexualised noises, banging doors and noise from household appliances. 

Parking and complaints related cycles, skateboards and e-scooters are also not covered, nor are issues relating to people who are homeless or rough sleeping or 'noise from late night revellers'.

The policy was sanctioned without objection by the council’s cabinet.