Communal areas

Communal Areas 

Group disturbances 

If the behaviour is of a criminal nature you need to report this to the police immediately. If you have concerns regarding your safety, you must also inform them of this. 

Once you have reported the incident to the police, you can then also contact us. 

Children and young people playing

Children and young people have the right to play, socialise, and enjoy their neighbourhood. Play is an important part of growing up and helps with their development and it should be encouraged. 

Ball games like football are not illegal or anti-social. Often, children may not realise their play is bothering others. 

Before making a report, please consider the following: 

• Children and young people have a right to play especially near their homes.
• Parents and carers often want their children to play close by for safety. 
• Some noise after school, at weekends, or in the evenings is normal.
• Shouting, cheering, and laughing in parks or open spaces is expected and not usually considered a nuisance.
• “No ball games” signs are a request, not a law—they can’t be enforced.
• It’s not illegal to play football on grass verges or open spaces.
• There may only be one safe area nearby for children to play 
• Playing sport is a positive way for young people to spend their time.
• Open spaces are for everyone including children and young people 
• Young people chatting, laughing, or hanging out without causing harm is not anti-social behaviour. 

If There’s a Problem 

If play leads to damage to your property or you feel the behaviour is genuinely anti-social, please contact: 

• The police (especially if there’s damage or threatening behaviour);
• Us at Arches Housing—you can call or use our online reporting form.

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Cooking smells 

We would not consider this to be anti social behaviour. 

People have a right to cook whatever food they wish; sometimes the smell caused from cooking the food may escape the property. 

You may want to speak to your neighbour as they may not be aware that there are issues with the cooking smell.