East Lothian Council and Lothian and Borders Police have signed an agreement to allow a freer exchange of information between the two organisations to clamp down on antisocial behaviour in the county.

The joint protocol allows for the lawful and productive exchange of information about antisocial behaviour between the Police and the Council. The comprehensive document sets out the circumstances under which information about alleged perpetrators and incidents could be shared without compromising the legal rights of the individuals. Alex McCrorie, Acting Chief Executive of East Lothian Council, and Superintendent Murdo Maciver of Lothian and Borders Police signed the agreement.

East Lothian Council’s Acting Chief Executive, Alex McCrorie, believes that such sharing of information is necessary for all those involved: “We need to be confident of the strength of and veracity of evidence that we compile against perpetrators of antisocial behaviour. Working together with the Police means best use of resources for all those involved, which will deliver benefits across our communities.”
 
The joint protocol will allow the Council to quickly identify those in the community whose behaviour is causing distress to others. Once identified, the necessary action will be taken in line with the Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Partnership’s Policy. This action can involve warning letters being issued to the perpetrators of antisocial behaviour, and at the more serious end, applications for Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). The Agreement also allows the Council to freely pass information about individuals to the Police that may be relevant in their ongoing fight against crime and disorder.

Superintendent Murdo Maciver, East Lothian Area Commander for Lothian and Borders Police, said: “This protocol formalises the detail of the type of information that the Council and Police can lawfully share in their continued battle against antisocial behaviour in East Lothian. It allows effective analysis and targeted response against persistent offenders, while protecting the right to privacy of law-abiding citizens. It is another example of the excellent working relationships that exist between East Lothian Council and Lothian and Borders Police and should be received as a good news story throughout the county.” 

Kenneth Black, the Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Co-ordinator said the signing of the Agreement demonstrated the partners’ commitment to working together: “The agreement cements the relationship between the two organisations, and it shows that a united approach to effectively tackling this type of corrosive behaviour is now being fully adopted in the county.”
 
Antisocial Behaviour Partnership's Policy

East Lothian Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Partnership’s policy sets out the process for taking action against an adult’s Antisocial Behaviour as follows:

1. Verbal warning during a visit to the property by Council and Police representatives
2. First written warning.
3. Second written warning.
4. Final warning issued at a face-to-face meeting between perpetrator, Council and Police representatives. The perpetrator may be required to sign-up to an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement, which would also be signed by the Council and Police representatives.
5. Application for an Antisocial Behaviour Order if the behaviour persists.

This process can be fast-tracked in sufficiently serious cases.

Communities in East Lothian can report incidents of antisocial behaviour to a dedicated telephone helpline and email address. A call to 0845 601 8518 or email  asb@eastlothian.gov.uk is an easy, safe and effective way to tackle antisocial behaviour in the area. The helpline is run by East Lothian Council working in partnership with Lothian and Borders Police, East Lothian Housing Association, Homes for Life and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.

Press release issued: 17 December 2007