Report antisocial behaviour

Antisocial behaviour is behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress to other people.

You can report it to the police or your local council, depending on what the behaviour is.

Reporting antisocial behaviour to the police

Dial 999 if a crime is in progress or if someone is in danger.

If it’s not an emergency, call Police Scotland on 101 to report it.

To report a crime online, use the contact form on the Police Scotland website.

What the police can deal with

The police can investigate criminal behaviour, such as:

violent or threatening behaviour
illegal drugs or drug dealing
vandalism of private property
harassment

Reporting antisocial behaviour to the council

Some local councils have an antisocial behaviour team.

They also deal with:

certain noise complaints
problems in licensed holiday accommodation

What the council can do

The council can:

help arrange mediation – when an independent expert helps you decide what to do about your problem
issue a fine, usually a fixed penalty notice
apply to the court to issue an Antisocial Behaviour Order

Contact the local council about antisocial behaviour

Antisocial behaviour

Reporting antisocial behaviour to a private landlord

If the antisocial behaviour is happening in a rented house or flat, you can report the problem to the landlord.

Private landlords must take steps to deal with antisocial behaviour in a property they own.

Find a landlord’s contact address by searching the Scottish Landlord Register.

Documenting antisocial behaviour

If the problem keeps happening, it helps to keep a record of it.

You can keep a diary and write down:

what happened
the date it happened
the effect it had on you

This can help if you need a record for mediation, the council or the police.

If the problem does not stop

If you're not happy with how your report has been handled by the council or the police, you can make a complaint.

Council complaints

Contact the council through their complaints procedure.

Make a complaint

Police complaints

Get information on making a complaint about Police Scotland.

More information

You can get advice on dealing with antisocial behaviour from Citizens Advice Scotland.

Get support as a victim of crime from Victim Support Scotland.

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