Community Trigger

What is a Community Trigger?

The Community Trigger is a process which allows members of the community to ask the Community Safety Partnership to review their response to complaints of Anti-Social Behaviour.
The Trigger is designed to ensure we work together to try and resolve repeated reports of ant-social behaviour, where there has been inappropriate action taken to address this. Members of the community will be able to tell us about it under the Community Trigger.
We will do this by talking about the problem, sharing information and using our resources to try and reach an agreeable outcome.

Reporting Thresholds:

A complainant has reported the same problem 3 or more times in the past 6 months to the Council, Police, or their Landlord, and inappropriate action has been taken in line with the relevant agencies policy and procedure.
Different complainants have made reports about the same problem 5 times in the past 6 months to the Council, Police, or their Landlord, and inappropriate action has been taken in line with the relevant agencies policy and procedure.

What do we mean by “no action” taken?

The reported problems have not been acknowledged – i.e. no one contacted the customer to advise what action would be taken.
The reported problems have not been appropriately investigated in accordance with the relevant agencies policy and procedure.
The customers’ vulnerability and/or the potential for harm have not been considered and this has affected potential service delivery.
No action has been taken because information has not been shared between partners and this has affected potential service delivery.

What is not suitable for a trigger?

If someone has reported Anti-Social Behaviour and received a service but the problems and the investigation are ongoing. They will be advised to contact the agency they are working with to tell them what is happening.
If someone has reported Anti-Social Behaviour and received a service but they’re unhappy with the service received or action taken. They will be advised to submit a complaint under the agency’s complaints procedures.

How do I apply for a Community Trigger?

Email: trigger@halton.gov.uk or complete the Community Trigger Form
Phone: 0303 333 4300 you must state that you would like to request a Community Trigger
Postal Address: Community Safety Team, Floor 3, Municipal Building, Kingsway, Widnes, WA8 7QF

What will happen?

A representative from the Community Safety Partnership will discuss the issues that you have been having and complete the application process with you. This will include taking some initial details and then you completing a detailed form and agreeing to share your personal data.
Once the application process is complete you will be contacted and informed as to whether your Trigger application has been successful.
If the Trigger application does not meet the criteria we may still be able to offer some assistance from our ASB Unit and your case will be referred to them to discuss.

If the Trigger has been met:

Those agencies to whom the Anti-Social Behaviour reports have been made (this may include Police, Council, or Registered Housing Provider) will be contacted, and where necessary, will meet to review their responses and consider how the problem could be better dealt with.
A response will be sent to you detailing what actions will be taken and if necessary offering suggestions as to how the multi-agency partnership can attempt to resolve the Anti-Social Behaviour.

What if I am not happy with the suggested outcomes/actions?

If you are unhappy with a decision that the Trigger criteria has not been met or with the outcome of a Community Trigger review, you can appeal, this will then be independently reviewed. To appeal contact the team as follows:

Email: trigger@halton.gov.uk
Phone: 0303 333 4300 you must state that you would like to request a Community Trigger Appeal
Postal Address: Community Safety Team, Floor 3, Municipal Building, Kingsway, Widnes, WA8 7QF.