Common areas

If the behaviour is of a criminal nature or you are concerned about your safety you need to report this to the police immediately.

Once you have reported the incident to the police, you can contact us.

We would not consider this to be anti-social behaviour. Young people do have a right to play and interact with other youngsters.

Football and ball games in themselves are not anti-social or illegal. In many cases young people maybe unaware they are causing other people distress.

Please consider the following before making a complaint:

• Young people do have a right to play, especially in their own neighbourhood
• Parents/guardians may wish their young children to play near to home for their own safety
• It is reasonable to expect a certain level of noise from children/youths playing after school, at weekends and in the evening
• Shouting, cheering and laughing are to be expected on public open space/playing fields and is not normally considered a noise nuisance
• “No ball games” signs on public space are a request not a bylaw, which means that they cannot be enforced
• It is not illegal to play football on a grassed verge or open space
• There may be only one grassed area for younger children to play safely in their own neighbourhood
• Sometimes it is better for young people to divert their energies into playing sport rather than doing other things
• Compromise and speak to your neighbours to find an agreeable time and location to play
• Open spaces are for the use of everyone, including children and young people
• Young people hanging around talking, laughing and not causing a disturbance is not anti-social behaviour.

If you experience damage to your property as a result of children playing, or you consider the behaviour to be of an anti-social nature, please contact the police and ourselves.

We would not consider this to be anti-social behaviour.

People have a right to cook whatever food they wish; sometimes the smell caused from cooking the food may escape the property.

You may want to speak to your neighbour as they may not be aware that there are issues with the cooking smell.