Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour

INCIDENT DIARY COMPLETION NOTES

This page contains useful information for completing this diary

Completing this diary is a major step forward to stop the anti-social behaviour you are suffering and it could form the basis of an important piece of evidence in court.

Bracknell Forest Council can only act against perpetrators of anti-social behaviour if we have evidence. You can assist us in gathering evidence by keeping a diaryof everything that you witness. In order for us to deal effectively with anti-social behaviour, even if it does not result in legal proceedings, it is essential to have accurate detailed information about what has happened.

It is our intention, working in partnership with other agencies, to stop the anti-social behaviour long before then.

How to Keep the Incident Diary

It is essential that the details you enter are correct and accurate. This diary is your account of what happens. You must witness everything that is written in it. Write down exactly what you see and hear, no matter how distasteful. Do not be tempted to add anything extra to make the incident sound more plausible. Any inaccuracies will be found out and will certainly jeopardise your case.

This diary is your own personal record of what you see or hear. If other people (including members of your own household) have witnessed anything they must put it into their own diary. It would help to make a note of any other people who witnessed an incident.

Fill in one row for each separate incident, even if they happen on the same day. If you cannot fit all the details of one incident into one row, continue down into the next row and write ‘incident continued’ in the date and time column.

Write down the date and times the incidents occur either when the incident is happening or as soon as possible after the incident. Please also sign, date and time each entry with the time it is recorded.

Write down where the incident occurred. Try and give as much detail as possible about where the incident took place, e.g. Outside 80 Anywhere Street.

Write down everything you see and hear in as much detail as possible. A general summary is not taken as seriously by the court as word-for-word evidence so you will have to include swear words. We are sorry if this is upsetting, but you will have to do the same if the case if going to stand up in court.

Write down the names (if possible) of anyone involved. You must be able to identify them by sight or by the sound of their voice. If you are not sure who is involved, do not make assumptions. It is better just to record what you saw and heard and that you could not identify the person, rather than get it wrong. If you do not know them, write ‘do not know’.

Give details of anyone else who saw or heard the incident. Other witnesses will improve the chances of a successful outcome. You do not need to have their permissions. Do not worry about getting other people involved. We will approach them and ask if they would like to help. We will not mention that you pointed them out to us if you so wish.

Write down if you have reported the incident to anyone like the police, the local housing team, social services. If so write down who you spoke to and where and when you made the report. (If you have reported it to the police, put the officer’s collar number and any URN number and date).

It is important to know how this incident has made you feel. Describe how the incident affected you at the time. For example, did you feel frightened, alarmed, harassed, distressed, and intimidated? Include the effect it has had on people who live with you.

Please sign and date the end of each page to confirm that this is a true and accurate record in the spaces provided.

How will the information be used?

Your details or any information you provide will not be disclosed without your permission. Everything you write down will be treated in the strictest of confidence, but you need to understand that if a civil or criminal court case follows, this diary may become evidence. If this happens then the contents can be disclosed to the defence any you may be called as a witness at court. A member of the Anti Social behaviour Team will be happy to talk this through with you. Please call us if you have any problems.

Other evidence

It’s a good idea to collect other evidence to back up the diary. Photographs can help in some cases. Put the time and date the photo was taken on the back and sign it. You could make a tape recording of very loud music or shouting.

Please complete the diary sheet for at least 2 weeks in order to provide us with a suitable picture of incidents. Once you have completed the diary sheets, please return these to:

Community Safety Support Officer

Community Safety Team

BracknellForest Council

Easthampstead House

Town Square

Bracknell

RG12 1AQ

01344 352000

Tackling Anti-SocialBehaviour

Incident Diary

Day and Date of Incident / Time of Incident / Where did the incident occur? / What happened? / Who did it? Do you know names or can you describe people? / Were there any other witnesses? / What action have you taken? / Did you report the incident to anyone? / Please tell us how did the incident has affected you, how you felt about it.
Start / End
Time and Date Entered
Time and Date Entered
Time and Date Entered