Antisocial behaviour is persistently acting in a way that causes harassment, alarm or distress to other people (Citizens Advice Scotland).
Antisocial behaviour includes behaviour that causes harm to:
- an individual, like threatening language or aggressive behaviour
- the community, like noise pollution, drunken behaviour or drug taking
- the environment, like graffiti, vandalism or fly-posting.
Examples of antisocial behaviour include:
- playing loud music at night
- misusing fireworks
- littering
- having an animal which causes problems such as fouling or barking
- trespassing
- aggressive and threatening behaviour in bars or similar areas
- driving in an inconsiderate or careless way.
The University is committed to tackling issues of student misconduct, including antisocial behaviour, whether that affects the community or other staff and students.
Make a disclosure
Make a disclosure to the University
Use the Report and Support system to disclose an antisocial behaviour incident involving a student to the University of St Andrews. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an adviser.
If the incident does not involve a student, you should see other ways to make a disclosure below.
Other ways to disclose
- Fife Council disclosure antisocial behaviour form
- Fife Council Safer Communities Team
- Phone: +44 (0)1529 583412
- Community safety covers a range of issues including crime, antisocial behaviour, public perception of crime and safety in homes and on roads.
- Fife Council's Night-time Noise
- Phone: 101
- Fife Council's night-time noise team deals with complaints about noise from domestic premises - such as noisy parties, barking dogs or noisy DIY - between the hours of 5.30pm and 3.30am.
Informal actions you could take
If you are experiencing antisocial behaviour that you believe is not a serious or criminal offence, you may want to consider the following informal options:
- Discuss the problem with the person causing the offence – this should comprise giving one or more concrete examples of the unacceptable behaviour and agreeing how behaviour will change in the future.
- Write to the person causing the offence, outlining the unacceptable behaviour, with examples, and asking for a change in behaviour. You may want to have someone read over this letter so as not to escalate the situation.
- See other support options listed below.
If this is a serious or criminal offence, you can consider the formal disclosure options outlined above.
Support
University support
If you would like additional support, there are many resources available for both students and staff. Please see the how to get support page for more information.
External support
- Victim Support Scotland provides a free confidential telephone service for victims of antisocial behaviour. Telephone helpline: 0345 603 9213.
If someone you know is experiencing antisocial behaviour
If you know someone who has experienced or is experiencing antisocial behaviour, you can help in the following ways:
- Listen. Taking the time to listen and talk about what has happened can help.
- Signpost options. Ask them if they’re okay to talk through some possible options for support or how they might make a disclosure for what has happened. Do not take on the role of a counsellor or therapist.
- Help them make a disclosure. If they want to, and you feel able to, you can help them disclose the incident or incidents.