Support for B&NES Residents

If you are affected by anti-social behaviour, you can report it to Avon & Somerset Police, or B&NES Council, depending on the type of behaviour.

If you have reported a persistent problem to the council, police, or housing provider and feel not enough action has been taken, you can request an ASB Case Review.

An ASB Case Review (formerly known as a Community Trigger) is designed to give victims of anti-social behaviour the right to request a review of their case and bring agencies together. The main aim of the ASB Case Review is to find a solution to the core problem; it cannot be used to report incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Individuals, businesses, or community groups can request an ASB Case Review if:

• you have reported three separate incidents of anti-social behaviour relating to the same problem in the past six months to your local council, the police or your landlord and you feel you have had an inadequate response.

• Or at least five people have made reports to these organisations about the same problem in the past six months.

If you do not meet the criteria, you will not be able to request an ASB Case Review to be initiated.

You can request an ASB Case Review:

• online - fill in the ASB Case Review form
• in person - at your local police station
• by post: 

Anti-social Behaviour Case Review, Community Safety

Bath & North East Somerset Council

High Street, Bath

BA1 5AW

If you believe someone is at immediate risk of harm, call 999

• When you are unable to speak - dial 999 from your mobile then press 55 when prompted and a police response will be alerted. This is called the silent solution system. 
• If the situation is not an emergency, but you still need the police, call 101.
• If you're deaf or unable to use a voice phone - you can register with the police text service - text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse refers to an incident or a pattern of incidents of violence or abuse, including controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, by someone who is or has been an intimate partner or family member, regardless of gender or sexuality. 

The definition of domestic abuse can be read in full in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Domestic abuse can consist of any of the following:

• psychological, emotional or other abuse
• physical or sexual abuse
• financial abuse
• violent or threatening behaviour
• controlling or coercive behaviour

Support Services

The BCSSP have collated the below comprehensive list of contacts for local and national organisations offering a range of support for those experiencing domestic abuse. The leaflet can be downloaded here.

SARSAS (Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support) is a specialist support service for people in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, or South Gloucestershire, who have experienced any form of sexual violence, at any point in their lives.

Safe Link provides independent support for anyone (women, men, children) who has been the victim of rape and sexual abuse across the whole of Avon and Somerset area. You do NOT have to report to the police to access our services. Safe Link also provide women's mental health and domestic abuse support services.

FearFree is a charity that works to break the cycle of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Their teams work across communities in the Southwest providing personalised support services to help victims change or move on from abusive relationships; supporting people who have experienced sexual violence or stalking, supporting children and young people affected by abuse to move on with their lives and; running voluntary programmes for perpetrators to help them change their behaviour.

If you or someone you know is experiencing problems related to drugs or alcohol, help is available, either through your GP or your local drug and alcohol service.

If you need help, but you're not in a crisis, call Alcoholics Anonymous on 0800 9177 650 or Narcotics Anonymous on 0300 999 1212 any time. You should also be able to contact your GP out of hours, as they will have an out of hours service.

Your local drug and alcohol service

The DHI offer free and confidential help if you live in Bath and North East Somerset and you have problems with drugs or alcohol. They also offer a needle exchange service. You can contact them directly by email or telephone, or you can drop into to see them (in Bath or Midsomer Norton).
Visit their website for full details

You can also talk to your GP about how you're feeling and they might refer you to a drug and alcohol service such as the DHI, or discuss other treatment options with you.

Other help

Find details of support groups and services related to drugs and alcohol in Bath and North East Somerset on our website, Live Well B&NES.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous offers help if you're struggling with alcohol and allows you anonymity throughout the process. They help with personal recovery and sobriety. You can call them on 0800 9177 650 or email help@aamail.org.

Narcotics Anonymous

If you're struggling with drugs, call Narcotics Anonymous on 0300 999 1212. If you're not sure whether you have a drug problem or not, they have some guidance around this, as well as information if you're new to them

Social care and support assessment

Drug or alcohol problems can sometimes result in other health or care needs. If you're struggling to do certain things on a daily basis, you can get a social care and support assessment which will assess what health or care needs you have.

Drink spiking

Bath BID have launched the Stop Spiking campaign working in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police, Bath and North East Somerset Council and venues in Bath. Their aim is to educate and support businesses on reporting and collecting evidence of drink spiking. You can find out more information on the Bath BID website.

Hate Crime is an offence committed against property, an individual, group or community that is motivated by the offender's hostility or prejudice because of a victim's sexuality, disability, religion or belief, race or ethnicity.

Hate crime can include things like:

• verbal abuse and taunts
• graffiti
• mail or literature
• harassment
• arson
• burglary
• vehicle crime
• sexual offences
• assault
• cyberbullying

Report a hate crime

If you are in immediate danger dial 999.

You can report a hate crime to Avon and Somerset Police online or by telephone via 101.

You can also report a hate crime to SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality). SARI provides free and confidential support for anyone who is a victim of hate crime across Avon and Somerset.

Support for victims of hate crime

Contact details for organisations who can offer help and support to anyone who has been the victim of hate crime or prejudice can be accessed here.

There are many reasons why you may find yourself with nowhere to live. You may have lost your job, you may have been evicted, become suddenly ill or perhaps a relationship has broken down.

Anyone having to leave their current home with nowhere else to live can be considered homeless. You may have somewhere temporary to stay but you need to start planning for a more permanent arrangement.

Use this page to find out about the support you can get if you're homeless, sleeping rough or threatened with homelessness, and how to contact Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Modern Slavery

Modern slavery is a serious and often hidden crime in which people are exploited for criminal gain. It is the act of exercising control or ownership over another person and using this power to exploit them.

Victims of modern slavery can be any age, gender nationality and ethnicity. It often involves people who are trying to escape poverty or discrimination, trying to improve their lives, or support their families.

Modern slavery can take many forms, such as:

• forced labour – forcing someone to work against their will, often working very long hours for little or no pay, in poor conditions under verbal or physical threats of violence to them or their families
• sexual exploitation – forcing someone to perform non-consensual or abusive acts against their will
• criminal exploitation – forcing someone into crimes against their will, such as cannabis cultivation or pick-pocketing
• debt bondage – forcing someone to work to pay off debts that realistically they will never be able to do due to low wages or increased debts
• domestic servitude – forcing someone to carry out housework or domestic chores in private households with little or no pay, restricted movement, very limited or no free time and minimal privacy, often sleeping where they work

The statutory guidance on Modern Slavery can be accessed here.

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them. A common misconception is that victims are transported from another country into the UK, however people can still be trafficked from one Town to another within the UK even room to room.

It takes various forms and affects people of all ages, gender and races, with many victims targeted because of existing vulnerabilities including, learning disability, mental health problems and homelessness.

Poverty, limited opportunities, lack of education, unstable social and political conditions, economic imbalances and war are key driving forces that contribute to the trafficking of victims into, through and across the UK.

National Referral Mechanism

The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is a framework for identifying victims of exploitation and human trafficking and ensuring they receive the right support and protection.

Within the NRM, a number of organisations (section 4) including Local Authorities, the Police and the Salvation Army are designated "first responders". These organisations have the following responsibilities:

• identify potential victims of modern slavery and recognise the indicators of modern slavery
• gather information in order to understand what has happened to them
• refer victims into the NRM via the online process (in England and Wales this includes notifying the Home Office if an adult victim doesn’t consent to being referred - DtN)
• provide a point of contact for the competent authority to assist with the Reasonable and Conclusive Grounds decisions and to request a reconsideration where a first responder believes it is appropriate to do so

If the potential victim is under 18, or may be under 18, a NRM must be made. Child victims do not have to consent to be referred into the NRM and must first be safeguarded and then referred into the NRM process.

Informed consent is required for an adult to be referred to the NRM. If an adult has refused consent the Duty to Notify form must be used.

A NRM referral should clearly articulate the specific concerns held for the individual. It should also:

• Contain enough information to allow decision makers within the Home Office to make an informed decision.
• Include relevant information held by Partners

If the Single Competent Authority within the Home Office assesses there to be reasonable grounds to believe that the individual is a victim of modern slavery, the individual will receive a minimum of 45 days of support as a recovery and reflection period, delivered through the Victim Care Contract (VCC).

Following a positive conclusive grounds (CG) decision, victims will be exited from VCC support only when appropriate to do so.

Victims will receive at least 45 days of support during the move-on period during which the support provider will help the victim transition out of support The VCC provides adult victims in England and Wales access to a tailored and specialised package of care and support.

This includes but is not limited to accommodation; material assistance; counselling; access to mental, physical and dental health services; and signposting to legal support.

The Salvation Army is the Prime Contractor of the Victim Care Contract and provides support through their 13 subcontractors. Further information about the help available can be accessed here.

If you're concerned that you or someone else is in immediate danger, go to A&E or call 999.

If you're struggling to cope with day-to-day life, or are experiencing mental health issues which cannot wait, call any of the following people or organisations:

• The Samaritans on 116 123 (this is a free call)
• Your doctor (ask for an 'emergency' or 'same-day' appointment)
• Intensive Support Team (if you're currently supported by Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Trust) on 01225 36 28 14

Request a Mental Health Act Assessment

Any age group can have an assessment. However, before you request an assessment under the Mental Health Act (where a person is detained for assessment and treatment), discuss this first with a keyworker, health or social care professional, or the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP), to see if there is an alternative way of ensuring someone's safety and well-being. 

If you're a relative or a health professional who believes someone urgently needs treatment for a mental health disorder, and is at risk of harm to themselves or others, call our Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) team on 01225 36 27 78 (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, and until 4.30pm Fridays), or our Emergency Duty team on 01454 61 51 65 (after 5pm Monday to Friday, on weekends and bank holidays).

Find other mental health support

Most of the below services are available to over 18 year olds with a mental health support need who also live in Bath & North East Somerset. To access them, you may need to be referred by one of the following:

• GP
• Local mental health service
• Adult health and social care team
• BANES Talking Therapies service

You can also self-refer for some of our services.

You can find details of services and organisations supporting people with mental health needs on our website, Live Well B&NES. 

Practical and emotional support

Activities and courses

Looking after your own health and wellbeing

Supported living, outreach and housing support

Employment support

Mental health support for children and young people

Get help from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)

Contact an independent charity for help (Young Minds)

Social care and support assessments

If you're not sure what help and support you need, or you think you need some financial support to access services, get a social care and support assessment

Sexual violence relates to any unwanted sexual act or activity. It can include, but is not restricted to, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape within a relationship, forced marriage, honour-based violence and female genital mutilation. Sexual violence can be perpetrated by anyone – this could be a stranger or someone known to and trusted by the person.

Report it

Call 999 if a crime is happening now or you're in immediate danger.

If you can’t use a voice phone, you can register with the police text service – text REGISTER to 999.  You will get a text which tells you what to do next.  Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.

If you need urgent police help through the 999 service but cannot speak call 999, you will be connected to a phone operator who will ask which service you need.

On a mobile:

• if you can’t speak but the operator hears something suspicious, they’ll connect you to a police call handler
• if you can make some noise, whispering for example, the operator will connect you to the police
• if you can’t speak, and the operator can’t tell what service you need, they’ll transfer you to the Silent Solution system. This runs a 20 second automated message, and that will ask you to press 55, to be put through to the police

On a landline phone:

• if you cannot speak and the operator can hear only background noise, they’ll connect your call to the police

How to report it if you are not in immediate danger:

• call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
• fill in the online crime form (avonandsomerset.police.uk)
• visit your local police station

StreetSafe is a pilot service for anyone to anonymously tell the police about public places where they have felt or feel unsafe. This can because of environmental issues like street lighting or vandalism. It can also be because of behaviours like being followed or verbally abused.

Getting help and support

In the below sections you can find information on local and national sexual violence support services.

Local services and helplines

National support services and helplines