May pledges action to end ‘horror stories’ over anti-social behaviour

Theresa May wants to put an end to the “horror stories” of victims being ignored despite making repeated complaints to the authorities about problem neighbours.

In a speech on police reform in London, Ms May will say work has begun with local authorities on the “community trigger” scheme the Government announced last year.

Under the plans action must be taken to tackle nuisance behaviour if five people in different homes across the same neighbourhood complain. Community Safety Partnerships will be able to reject any malicious complaints.

Ms May will say: “It’s too easy to overlook the harm that persistent anti-social behaviour causes. Many police forces, councils and housing providers are working hard, but I still hear horror stories of victims reporting the same problem over and over again, and getting no response. These long-running problems – and the sense of helplessness that goes with them – can destroy a victim’s quality of life and shatter a community’s trust in the police.