But for some people this is only the tip of the iceberg. However, a company, set up in Birmingham just a year ago, could be the answer to tenants' prayers.
Antisocial Behaviour Operations is a private company that provides evidence-gathering services to councils and police forces working on antisocial behaviour orders.
It is the brainchild of Claire Castle, a former antisocial behaviour coordinator at Castle Vale Housing Action Trust. Operating from within the confines of her own front living room, Claire manages and deals with the day-to-day running of the company along with a team of five staff. "Astounded" by the company's success, Claire says it has come mostly from working very closely with witnesses.
"Working with them and building up their confidence so that they actually turn up in court and provide evidence is the core of our success. Without their input we would not be able to secure injunction orders and convictions as quickly and effectively. Without them we would not be where we are today."
Claire stresses that her job is about working with witnesses, and not victims.
"We call them witnesses because we don't work with victims. Once someone starts to stand up and be counted, then they are no longer being victimised."
The company is unique in that it operates a 24-hour helpline where witnesses can speak directly to Claire, instead of a machine.
She says she receives calls at any time of the day or night from those who just need to talk, as well as those reporting serious incidents.
"It is heartbreaking when you listen to people who are too scared to leave their house or call the police or make a complaint to a housing association because they are subjected to a lot of intimidation and harassment from neighbours."
She recalls an incident involving an elderly resident who lived next door to someone who operated an open house for racists.
"The neighbour and [his friends] used to sing Nazi anthems, display Nazi emblems from the window and keep the elderly gentleman up all night. The situation got so bad that he became ill. At one point it looked as though he would not recover.
Though they continue to expect immediate results, keeping witnesses informed is the surest way of gaining their trust
"I found the whole thing so distressing. It is abhorrent that anyone could be so disrespectful towards someone who fought against the Nazis."
But Claire remains hopeful. She says one of her greatest achievements in stamping out this kind of behaviour is the creation of Reclaim, a monthly support group, which enables witnesses to come together and share their experiences.
The police, solicitors, local council representatives and MPs attend these meetings, and witnesses feel that their concerns are being noticed and taken seriously.
Claire called the group Reclaim because it is about "the community reclaiming the community".
She admits that there are aspects of her job that she finds frustrating – particularly the workings of the legal system – and she has been disillusioned by the way local authorities and housing associations tackle persistent antisocial offenders.
"In my experience councils and associations do not help themselves by issuing notice of seeking possessions like confetti.
"If housing staff do not follow these orders through then what kind of message are they sending out to people? They seem to be saying it is all right to continue with this kind of behaviour because no one will ever stop them."
History seems to repeat itself continually. It is little wonder then that witnesses are cynical to begin with. Claire says they continue to expect immediate results. But keeping witnesses properly informed throughout the process is the surest way of gaining their trust.
As for the company's future, Claire is optimistic. She says she would like to see the witness support group expand nationally, and favours a change in the law on injunction orders for minors.
"We think that the civil court should be given more power to enforce a breach of an injunction order. This could be achieved by allowing civil court judges the power to order pre-sentence reports and sentence a young person to prison.
Source
Housing Today
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