Anti-social behaviour within and around our community

In a perfect world this page would not be necessary. It also seems such a shame to broadcast to the world the details of unpleasant, seemingly petty, occurrences within our community when, for the most part, life here is so good. We are indeed lucky to have such a pleasant environment to live in, but it would be even better if we could find ways to eradicate the impact of the anti-social behaviour of just a few individuals that live within our community.  

It would, however, be wrong of us to ignore these issues on this website as they cause concern for so many within our community. Over recent years The Witham Staple has carried many articles and letters in the Witham Staple imploring the culprits to desist from such activities. A selection of extracts on a wide range of anti-social activities that continue to plague our community are listed on this page. If you would like to comment or have suggestions on how we, as a community, might better tackle such behaviour please do not hesitate to contact us. 

How to Report Anti-social Behaviour Incidents (Minor and Serious)

Letter Concerning Anti-social behaviour Witham St Hughs

Speeding motor vehicles

Bassingham Memorial Field Playground

Dog Fouling Dog Control & Stray Dogs

Bonfires

Overhanging or High Hedges

Unacceptable Parking on Curbs and Verges

Litter

Vandalism

Noise

Fireworks

Fly-tipping

Disposal of Garden and Domestic Rubbish

Dangerous Behaviour on Playing Fields

Security lighting

Constructive attitudes

Drugs: young children

North Kesteven Anti-social Behaviour Team Policies & Procedures

Presentation by Anti-social Behaviour Team

Overview of ASB Team's Presentation in Bassingham April 2005

Vandalism Witham St Hughs July 2008

Avoiding Scams

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How to report anti-social behaviour to North Kesteven District Council

Serious incidents: Report directly to the Police

Other incidents: 

Customer Services Centre - 01529 414144 - (will forward to right sections)

or 01522 699699 if calling from the Lincoln Area.

E-mail: - ASB@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Via District Councillor (Bassingham - Cllr Mrs Woodman) 

In person at Council Offices

By writing to the Anti Social Behaviour Team at the NKDC offices

Anti-Social Behaviour Team 

North Kesteven District Council 

Kesteven Street 

Sleaford 

Lincolnshire NG34 7EF

We strongly encourage all those subjected to anti-social behaviour to report incidents to this team so that action can be taken.

See also Procedures of Anti Social Behaviour Team

and a Presentation by their Manager given in Bassingham 14 April 2005

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Letter Concerning Anti-social behaviour Witham St Hughs

Dear Editor

I would like to write about my own views regarding where I have recently moved to in the hope that I will be included in the magazine.

I am a single parent and I moved here a few months ago, in the hope of providing a better life for my daughter in a village community. We moved from a large town.
 

I am totally appalled by the anti-social behaviours I have witnessed since we moved to Witham St Hughs. The village is completely ruined by a number of families who consider that their children are not their responsibility once they leave their house and probably have no idea what their child is up to. Children as young as 7 are roaming the streets at all hours.
 

As a single parent I take great care with my child as I am under no great illusion that I am seen in any way equal to my married counterparts. My daughter is polite and well behaved and I would be mortified if I was to witness such behaviours in her. I aould certainly want to know where she is and what she is doing at all tmes of the day. Why are parents so totally blaze about their responsibilities. I see parents virtually chucking their kids out to get some peace. They play football around peoples property, they kick their balls onto peoples cars, they swear, they daub graffitti all over the paly equipment at the park and they run riot on their bokes, terrorising the roads. We were in a much quieter area in our old house and I sincerely regret our move.
 

I have noticed several houses for sale in our road and each and every one of those people whose house is for sale blames the anti social behaviours around them.One seller stated to me that it is like living on a council estate.
 

Come on people of Witham St Hughs. We do not want this do we? A nice village for everyone, not anti social drunks, children and excessive noise into the night. Its embarrassing.
 

And where are the community police. I havent seen one when the kids are on their school holidays. They come here preaching how great their anti social behaviour policies are but where are they to witness such incidents? They say get evidence? It is all around you policemen and women. Take a visit to the parks where the kids have been offered drugs, Take a visit to the roads where kids hang around playing football on peoples cars. Look at the toddler park where kids hang around kicking balls and putting other kids lives at risk. Listen at night to the loud music and ridiculous fire work parties well into the evening, listen to the 'parties' outside with gaggles of giggling individuals waking our children up.
 

Move back to the city! I will!!

Karen East
Witham St Hughs

[August 2007]

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Speeding

Speed Indication Device Lincolnshire Police have a portable speed indication device that they would like to deploy in our villages. The equipment will be monitored and supervised by the police, however, volunteers are required to deploy the device, stay in the vicinity and keep the equipment until collected and delivered to another village.

[WS Jul 2002]  

September (2001 –Aubourn & Haddington Parish Council) meeting: figures for the traffic counts on Bridge Road and Dovecote Lane show approximately 22,000 vehicles a week travelling along Bridge Road, the 85 percentile speed being 46 mph. Dovecote Lane, which has a weight restriction, carries an average of 394 vehicles per day, sometimes including as many as 7 HGVs. The Council decided to ask Lincolnshire County Council to implement a 40-mph speed limit on Bridge Road. The problems on Dovecote Lane will continue to be monitored. [WS Oct 2002]

Traffic Speed Checks: There is now a speed checking ‘gun’ allocated to this local policing area and checks will be made regularly without warning in any of the villages. [WS Oct 2001]

Road Safety is a concern for Rural Communities and as a Beat Manager for the area I have been out checks with the speed camera. I have witnessed several people driving above the legal limit as have Traffic Officers, and offenders have been prosecuted. If you get caught speeding you will be fined £60 and 3 points will be put on your licence. We will continue doing these checks so please check your speed against the legal limit.

[WS Mar 2007]

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Bassingham Memorial Field Playground - Inappropriate Behaviour

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
As a local resident and mother of twin toddlers, I feel very lucky to have such a lovely playground at my disposal and so close by on the Bassingham Memorial Field. However, I must confess to being more than a little upset by a couple of issues that are clearly ongoing.

The first is the upkeep of the playground - mainly the litter, but also the weeds in the small fenced playground. It is wonderful to have an enclosed area where my children can safely run about - or would be, if it were not for the numerous thistles growing amongst the bark-chippings effectively making this area more hazardous than the playground and field outside. The thistles are pretty fierce ones and a fall on them would be pretty nasty on hands, legs or face. It needs a good weeding to remove the hazard. Without this, the play area cannot be used properly.
 

The litter throughout the playground is a constant pain! You find empty alcohol cans, as well as soft drinks containers, sweet wrappers and various other items, not to mention broken glass at times amongst the playground and field. My twins are 18 months old and naturally curious. I have no problem with them handling conkers (just as well!), leaves, grass, twigs, soil, etc., but it is very hard for them to understand why they can't pick up the "shiny stuff" too. Please can visitors to the playground use the bin?
 

On a more minor point, can we stop children throwing dirt down the slide as it only make other children's clothes get unnecessarily filthy.
The other matter is that of dogs being off the lead on the field and in the playground area, despite a notice indicating this is not permitted. In the last 3 or 4 weeks, on my daily 30 minute visit, this has happened 3 times, which seems to make it worthy of a mention. The first time, I was horrified to see a large German Shepherd bounding through the park, the second time a terrier-type dog with 2 owners, when approached they did oblige and put their dog on its lead to which I am very grateful and the most recent time was a gentleman with a small Spaniel-type dog.
 

I like dogs and animals in general as do my children. But a news story is never far away about how unpredictable animals are and I for one value my children too much to risk their safely in the hope that a stranger's dog never behaves out of character.
This is pretty much all about having respect for each other and remembering we share this space. Thank you.

[WS Dec 2011]

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Dog Fouling & Control

It’s not his job……. it’s YOURS! Please clean up after your dog.

Thank you. (Bassingham Parish Council) Be Responsible!

I am a responsible dog owner and over the last few weeks whilst walking around the footpaths, bridleways and lanes of Carlton le Moorland it has become evident that more dogs appear to be leaving their trademark without any attempt by the owners to clean up. There are sufficient bins sited within the village to dispose of the mess so there is no excuse to leave it, however some attempts are made to clear up but the hedgerows seem to be the choice of disposal rather than the bins provided.

The recent snow has made the evidence even greater, I have found dog mess in my front garden so dogs allowed off their leads are not being controlled. Also the snow has brought out children wishing to snowball or play in general only to return home covered in the mess left by dogs, the outcome, if children are infected by the bacteria in the mess the consequences can be tragic.

Dogs themselves cannot be blamed, it is down to the owners to take responsibility for their pet‟s behaviour. I have notified the parish council regarding this issue but at the end of the day it is the dog owners who can rectify this ongoing problem - an easy New Year Resolution. Carlton resident.

[WS Feb 2011]

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Dog Fouling in Witham St. Hughs

Q. Whose problem is it anyway? A. Nobody’s, if it’s dealt with responsibly.

Bag it - Bin it and make sure you either take it home with you or put it in a dedicated dog bin. It is also not an offence to place bagged mess in a litter bin. The Parish Council has been receiving complaints about the amount of dog mess on the path at the side of Leveret Chase which leads up to the Ark (old Green Lane). Dog owners are respectfully asked to pick up after their dogs and place the mess into one of the dog bins. There will be three dog bins sited in this area shortly, but until then, there are two available on the play park on Fox Hollow/Warren Lane and a further two on the playpark on Warren Lane/Juniper Way. The village dog warden is patrolling this area regularly and anybody witnessed allowing their dogs to foul will be liable for an on-the-spot fine of £50.

Some dog owners have been picking up after their dogs, but then throwing the bags into the hedges, trees and ditches which line the paths. This is a littering offence, and liable for an on-the-spot fine of £75.

If dog fouling is not dealt with, it becomes everybody’s problem. We all need to play a part in stopping irresponsible dog owners leaving their dogs’ faeces in public areas. It’s your environment and community that’s being affected.

It's socially unacceptable. It spoils the environment.

It's a health risk. Round worm eggs (Toxocara) in dog faeces can cause blindness, epilepsy, asthma and eye infections. The worm eggs can survive in the soil even after it’s rained, so children playing on grass are much more at risk. The bacteria can cause sickness and diarrhoea

What can you do about it? If you see an incident of a dog owner not picking their dogs faeces up and walking away, make a note of as many details as possible. The person’s description, (identity and address if known), description of the dog, time of incident and location. Then report it to the District Council on 01529 414155 (ask for Paul Yelland in the Environmental Pollution Team). Or contact your Parish Council or our village Dog Warden on 07903 898451 All information is dealt with in the strictest confidence and personal details will not be released to the offender. We will contact you to discuss your complaint and will keep you informed of what action we intend to take.

What are the penalties? If you commit an offence under section 3 Dogs (fouling of land) Act 1996, you may receive a £50 fixed penalty notice or be fined in court up to a £1,000. So clean up after your dog. Don’t fall foul of the law!

Please keep our village clean and safe. Thank you for your co-operation

Witham St Hughs Parish Council

Mrs S Lane Parish Clerk 869643. email: withamsthughspc@hotmail.co.uk

[WS Dec 2011]

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Dog Control In Witham St Hughs
How disappointing to have to write in about the issue of dog control and fouling in the Rose Hip Walk area of Witham St Hughs. 

Thankfully but in sadly a minority, those owners with a responsible attitude, fully understand that a dog on a lead is under control at all times. Not a potential danger or annoyance. What a shame others aren’t able to grasp this basic fact. It may surprise this seemingly growing majority that it’s not acceptable to let a dog run free wherever it wants, doing whatever it pleases in this, a residential area. Those same owners also appearing clueless as to what to do when, as inevitably happens, the animal dashes off, distracted by someone or something.

Equally disgusting and a direct result of this lack of control is the increasing amount of dog fouling on both the pathways and verges. Not a pleasant discovery during a walk. Why not take dog waste home or use the bins provided?

As a pet lover one would urge dog owners please to be more considerate all round for the benefit of everyone!

Yours sincerely

R & S Underwood (Letter to Editor WS Apr 2007)

Dogs and The Community
 

Dogs have been part of the man's social and domestic life since prehistoric times, and no more so than today. A dog can be an ideal companion and a real friend for young and old. It is a delight to see healthy and happy dogs enjoying life here in these villages.

Those of us who have a 'dog in the family' know that we have a responsibility to keep the dog healthy, properly fed and exercised. But we also realise we have a responsibility for ensuring that our dog is an acceptable member of the community. So, for example, we don't let our dog wander unattended in the streets or the fields, where he or she might cause a road accident or chase farm animals. Of course we don't.
    

Problems do, however, arise where those who have dogs allow them to defecate in unacceptable public places: anywhere within the villages or on footpaths outside the villages. The dog is not to blame – after all, he is by now house-trained. Sadly, the culprit is the owner who is just not yet street-trained! With such easy access to quiet lanes out of the village, there really is no excuse for dragging the dog along to the nearest verge or footpath. As always, the antisocial behaviour of the few can spoil the enjoyment of the many.
    

Apart from the unpleasantness of finding dog dirt where we want to walk or push a baby’s buggy, there’s a real danger of toddlers who walk on the grass being contaminated and even blinded by the toxocara worm. So let's behave as responsibly to the others in our community as we do to our dog – and make sure that others do so too!
 

Stan Underwood [WS Apr 2007]

Carlton Le Moorland Parish Council

….At the March meeting, the Parish Council discussed the location of dog waste bins around the village. The bin on Norton Disney Road is hardly used, and residents are asked to submit any ideas for a new location for this bin to the Clerk or any councillor. It was agreed to relocate the Clay Lane bin, which is also under used, to Wheatley Lane, where there is currently a problem with dog fouling. [WS April 2004 – see editorial WS May 2004].

Every month, the pages of The Witham Staple bring you news of what is happening in our local villages; a reflection of the busy variety of rural community life. From time to time, though, news reaches us of less than happy occurrences. Our attention has recently again been drawn to two anti-social practices that have raised their ugly head in the past: the first is the disgusting habit of allowing dogs to foul within the villages without clearing it up afterwards. The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 provides a maximum penalty of £1,000 for summary conviction for those in charge of a dog failing to clear up the mess. More to the point though, why should we have to share our villages with these ill-bred people who have such disregard for the rest of us?

The second is what to most people is the uncivilized and incomprehensible dumping of unwanted household items that takes place on roads outside the villages; a three-piece suite and mattresses are among recent examples.

All too often, the anti-social behaviour of one or two people can so easily and unnecessarily blight the daily life of others. ‘No man is an island, entire of it self. The poet John Donne tells us how we are all affected by what befalls our fellows. Similarly, what each one of us does or doesn’t do so often has real consequences for other people. [WS Feb 2003]

Stray Dog? Call the Dog Warden

If you come across a stray dog please ring the District Council on 01529 414155. The animal will then be collected and if not claimed within a short time will be put down. Please note dogs should not be allowed to run loose on Bassingham Playing Field. Please clean up after your dog or face a £50 fine. [WS June 2005]

Dogs And The Community

Dogs have been part of the man’s social and domestic life since prehistoric times, and no more so than today. A dog can be an ideal companion and a real friend for young and old. It is a delight to see healthy and happy dogs enjoying life here in these villages.

Those of us who have a ‘dog in the family’ know that we have a responsibility to keep the dog healthy, properly fed and exer­cised. But we also realise we have a responsibility for ensuring that our dog is an acceptable member of the community. So, for example, we don’t let our dog wander unattended in the streets or the fields, where he/she might cause a road accident or chase farm animals. Of course we don’t.

Problems do, however, arise where those who have dogs allow them to defecate in unacceptable public places:

footpaths, mown verges and playing fields. The dog is not to blame - after all, he is by now house-trained. Sadly, the culprit is the owner who is just not yet street-trained! With such easy access to quiet lanes out of the village, there really is no excuse for dragging the dog along to the nearest verge or footpath. As always, the antisocial behaviour of the few can spoil the enjoyment of the many.

Apart from the unpleasantness of finding dog dirt where we want to walk and the real danger of toddlers who walk on the grass being contaminated and blinded by the toxocara worm, those who mow the verges should not have to clear them first of dog excrement nor have it foul the mower. Let’s behave as responsibly to the others in our community as we do to our dog! 

[WS Feb 2003 & WS Feb 2005]

Dog fouling: you are reminded that you are liable to a fine if you do not clear up after your dog. It is not much trouble to carry a plastic bag.

[WS June 2001]

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Garden Bonfires - Please Remember

- That it is an offence to create smoke that is a nuisance to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood.

(Environmental Protection Act 1990)

- That bonfires should be as far away from buildings as possible and so situated that the prevailing wind carries smoke away from buildings.

- That only dry material should be burned; green or moist matter causes greatest nuisance.

- Never to bum plastics of any sort, rubber, oil or dangerous chemicals.

- Never to light bonfires when there is no wind at all, as smoke will linger and penetrate houses.

- Never to leave a bonfire to smoulder.

- That bonfires can be dangerous and so care should be taken with children about.

- Never to leave a bonfire unattended.

- That bonfire smoke can be irritating and offensive to anyone and harmful to people with chest troubles.

- That most garden waste can be composted, eliminating the need for bonfires.

- That any garden refuse you cannot compost can be taken to the Refuse Collection Vehicle in Bassingham Car Park on the second Saturday each month.

You do not have to suffer the nuisance of a neighbour’s irresponsible bonfire. If a civilised remonstration does not prove adequate, NKDC Environmental Services Department should be able to help (Tel 01529 414155).

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Hedges Growing Over Paths

Please check outside your home and see if the vegetation is spreading over the pavement or footpath. If so, please cut it back. Such growth must not interfere with the safe use of the footpath, and due consideration must be given especially to small children, prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs.  

Growth on Hedges & Trees: 

A reminder to landowners and householders that they have a responsibility to ensure that hedges, trees and other vegetation do not obstruct the safe use of pavements, footpaths or the highway, or impede visibility for road users. A few inches of new side growth on hedges can dramatically reduce visibility around bends in the road and significantly increase the risk of accidents.

You are asked to cut back all growth that may now cause a problem, in the villages or along the roads outside them, particularly following the very heavy growth over the summer. [WS Sep 2004]. Please look outside your property and check that vegetation is not encroaching on the path. [WS Sep 2008].

High Hedges

The High Hedges legislation became law on 20th November 2003. It has been introduced pnmarily because of the increased incidence of neighbour disputes arising from fast-growing Leylandii cupressus hedges and should be fully operational by the end of 2004.

It is clearly in everybody’s interest to resolve differences regarding hedges amicably. However, if this is not possible, complaints may be taken to the local authority, provided that:

• the hedge in question is comprised wholly or predominantly of a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs;

• is over two metres high;

• the hedge acts, to some degree, as a barrier to light or access;

• and because if its height, is adversely affecting the complainant’s reasonable enjoyment of his domestic property (ie home or garden).

The criteria covered by the guidance for local authorities all concern problems caused by the height of the hedge and are expected to include:

• both light and sunlight deprivation to homes and gardens;

• safe height for regular trimming and maintenance if the hedge is in such a position that it needs to be regularly maintained because, for instance, the overhang is taking up too much of the victim’s ground;

• plant damage caused by hedge height through deprivation of light or rainfall;

• deprivation of a cherished view.

For those who do have hedges bordering other property, it may be worth checking whether your neighbour is content with the height and state of the hedge. Alternatively, it may be advisable to take early action to trim the hedge down to manageable proportions. [WS June 2004 & 2005]

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Unacceptable Parking on Curbs and Verges

Parking on Grass Verges and Driving on Pavements in Witham St Hughs [Nov 2011]

The Parish Council has been receiving many complaints about residents parking on pavements and grass verges around the village. There are many alternative parking spaces near our properties and shops, so please park thoughtfully and with care.

Parking on grass verges causes damage at cost to the Parish Council and residents are politely requested to not park their vehicles on grass verges. Offenders will receive a warning notice from NKDC and if they continue to park there, the Parish Council reserves the right to request monetary reimbursement for the cost of replacing the damaged grass.

In addition to this, driving over pavements to access grass verges, or to park outside the shop, or your home, is dangerous and causes a nuisance - and sometimes an obstruction - to other residents. When parking on the road, please make sure that dropped kerbs where people can cross the road safely are not blocked and that emergency vehicles and rubbish collection vehicles have clear access. The police have the power to issue tickets for any vehicle causing an obstruction.

Thank you for your co-operation Witham St. Hughs Parish Council

[WS Nov 2011]

Several villages have parking problems especially Witham St Hughs and Carlton Le Moorland. Again we have tried to educate drivers by putting polite notices on vehicles, but there have still been several complaints. Please be considerate when parking your vehicle anytime day or night. Don’t park on the pavement, don’t park in front or at a corner of a junction. By doing this you are causing obstructions to other drivers and are committing an offence where a £30 Fixed Penalty Ticket can be issued.

[WS Mar 2007]

Residents are reminded that it is an offence to park on the footpaths.  

As the number of motor vehicles increases in our community there are more and more instances of vehicles being parked in an inconvenient and often dangerous manner.  Parking that obstructs footpaths and pavements and access to property is illegal.  

Norton Disney - Parking & Roads:

Parking: complaints have been received about parking of vehicles on footpaths in Norton Disney, causing pedestrians, people in wheelchairs etc to have to step into the road. The Parish Council respectfully asks for this practice to stop. [WS Sep 04]

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Litter

At the [November 2003 Carlton le Moorland Parish Council] meeting, councillors and residents reported that litter around the village is increasing. This spoils the enjoyment of our surroundings and it is hoped that we will all take pride in the appearance of our village by keeping it tidy in future. [WS Dec 2002]

The Parish Council is concerned about increasing amounts of litter in the village, including bottles and cans that could be put into the recycling banks in the Village Hall car park. [WS June 2001] Bassingham Voluntary Litter Pick: was conducted Saturday 13th November. Gloves and bags were provided. [WS Nov 2004]

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Vandalism