Most people say that they like where they live with good neighbours and friendly environment scoring high on many people's list of qualities they value in their neighbourhood.

However, from time to time one or two people, or perhaps a family, can make life difficult for their neighbours - the sort of behaviour which causes genuine distress or fear; behaviour which disrupts people's lives, worries their family or breaks up a community.

In these circumstamnces the council or the police can apply for an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO).

ASBOs can be applied to anyone, including children aged 10 or over.  They aim to prevent persistent anti-social behaviour, such as harassment, persistent vandalism, damage to property and racial harassment.

Either the council or the police can apply to the courts for an ASBO.  They won't be the perfect answer to every situation, but they provide the police and the council with an additional means of dealing with anti-social behaviour, so residents need to work with either organisation to help solve the problem.

If everyone agrees that an ASBO is the best way, the council or police will take the case to the magistrate's court.  If the court grants an order, it will spell out what the offender is allowed to do in very exact terms and the order will last for two years.  The complainant(s) will be kept informed and the order will be reviewed regularly.

If you would like to have details of neighbourhood Watch please contact.
Clive Stewart, Essex Police, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator
Braintree District.  Tel: 01376 556 282.