Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

Torus often receive reports of noise coming from neighbouring properties, however, some noise disturbances fall outside of what would be considered every day acceptable household noises, such as playing excessively loud music, or increased noise levels at inconsiderate times, either late at night or in the early hours of the morning.

Noise nuisance can be very subjective and several factors must be taken into account such as the time it occurs, levels of noise, frequency, duration of the noise, and the type of noise. The type of property can also be a factor, with noise being more sensitive in communal blocks and flats.

Find out more about noise nuisance

• Respond to urgent call back requests of reports of ASB requiring an urgent response e.g. hate crime, domestic abuse, threats or use of violence or arson, within 24 hours.
• Respond to all other reports of general ASB e.g. noise nuisance, within five working days.
• An action plan will be agreed and provided in writing.
• We will maintain regular contact with complainants, every two weeks unless a less frequent agreement is reached in Action Plan. In extreme cases, contact will be more frequent.
• A case will be closed in agreement with the complainant if no further incidents are reported or if no contact with the complainant as arranged.

If you have recently reported multiple incidences of ASB and no action has been taken, you can ask your local authority to activate a ASB Case Review.  

A ASB Case Review gives you the right to request a review into your case and bring agencies (e.g. Torus, the council, police) together to find a solution. 

For more information about ASB Case Reviews, visit:

• St Helens Council
• Warrington Borough Council
• Liverpool City Council
• Liverpool devolved councils (Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral, Liverpool) – to find your council visit: www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Cuckooing is when a drug dealer takes over the home of a vulnerable person who often lives on their own in order to use it as a base for drug dealing. Just like a cuckoo, the dealer moves in, takes over the property and turns it into a drugs den.

Dealers will choose someone they can scare, bully and control. They will seem friendly at first.

Victims of ‘cuckooing’ are often drug users but can include older people, those suffering from mental or physical health problems, female sex workers, single mums and those living in poverty. Victims may suffer from other forms of addiction, such as alcoholism, and are often already known to the police. Dealers often approach the victim offering free drugs to use their home for dealing.

Cuckooing is often linked to county lines drug dealing where urban gangs travel to suburban areas to establish a base for drug dealing. As a result of these actions, those being “cuckooed” can suffer from abuse and exploitation.

Signs of ‘Cuckooing’ to look out for:

• More people than normal going into someone’s house
• People calling in at all times of day and night
• Different cars pulling up outside the house and not staying long
• Strangers who block off the doors and windows to the house
• If you haven’t seen your neighbour for a while

Torus wants you to feel safe in your home, so if you suspect ‘cuckooing’ is taking place, or you think you are a victim of cuckooing is urged to contact the ASB (Safer Estates) Team or the Police.

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Anti-social behaviour stops with closure order in St Helens 2024

Torus residents were reporting a constant stream of visitors at one of our homes. They suspected there was drug dealing, and people known to the police were coming to the property. This activity was causing significant alarm and distress to people living in the community.

We assisted our affected residents in communicating directly with Merseyside Police. As a result, Merseyside Police were able to collect evidence to build a case for a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Torus colleagues provided continuous reassurance and support, so residents felt safe reporting anti-social behaviour anonymously and that they wouldn't fear reprisals.

We continued to gather comprehensive evidence to support Merseyside Police in getting a closure order. Previously, two police warrants were unsuccessful in finding drugs on site. The tenant even attempted to barricade the door so police could not enter the property.

Our continued close partnership with Merseyside Police resulted in the successful obtaining of a closure order for the property. The order prevented the tenant from returning for three months, and the anti-social behaviour stopped.

A resident expressed their appreciation for our support, saying:

"I can't thank Torus and the Police enough for all the hard work. It's been absolute bliss, and it's a huge relief to me and the other residents."

The Neighbourhood Policing Inspector praised the partnership approach between Merseyside Police and Torus, which has helped to evidence criminal and anti-social behaviour, saying:

"Let me be clear, if you engage in anti-social behaviour that causes misery within the community where you reside, the full weight of the law will be levied against you, and you could find yourself faced with a court order such as this one. My sincere thanks to Torus Housing for their assistance and the hard work of my officers in securing this closure."

During a further three-month extension of the initial closure order, Torus applied for legal possession of the property. Torus successfully secured an Order for Possession and a warrant for eviction, so the tenant could not return to the property permanently.