Leading councillors have approved an updated anti‑social behaviour (ASB) policy for South Tyneside as part of continued commitments to keeping communities safe – while new figures show incident numbers have dropped.

The revised policy sets out a clearer definition of ASB as well as how it will be tackled, with prevention, early intervention, support for victims, and proportionate enforcement where necessary.

ASB is defined within the policy as behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress, or conduct that can lead to nuisance or annoyance in and around a person’s home.

Examples include persistent noise, verbal or physical abuse, harassment, intimidation, criminal or illegal activity, and environmental issues such as graffiti, vandalism or fly‑tipping.

However, everyday living noises such as children playing, babies crying, doors closing, or the occasional one‑off event such as a BBQ or birthday party are not considered ASB.

South Tyneside Council’s ruling cabinet unanimously approved the new policy at its meeting on Wednesday, January 28, at Hebburn Central.

At the same meeting a council performance update report covering the period from April to the end of September 2025 showed there had been a “considerable reduction” in the number of ASB incidents recorded in the borough.

During the six month period there were 1,677 incidents of anti-social behaviour, which was 23.3% lower than the same point the previous year, when 2,186 incidents were recorded.

The council also recorded a 17% reduction in youth ASB over the same period.

Labour’s Councillor Tracey Dixon, council leader, said: “We know that this is something that matters a lot to our residents, so it’s great to see that we are making a difference here.”

Elsewhere Councillor Jane Carter, cabinet member for housing and community safety, outlined how the new ASB policy includes “minor changes to the wording of the policy, including updated legislation”.

She added the original document was approved in January 2022 following “extensive consultation” and has been reviewed yearly since.

The policy applies to everyone in the borough and provides clearer guidance on how to report concerns and reflects new consumer standards in social housing.

Feedback from the our place scrutiny committee, housing and environment scrutiny committee and the tenants panel has helped shape the updated policy.

Cabinet also agreed to move the review cycle for the policy from an annual review to a three‑year cycle, in line with other regulatory policies, while maintaining regular updates to scrutiny committees.