'An act which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any other person not of the same household.’ The words may be unfamiliar to most people, but they describe an area of modern life that is seldom out of the news. Few communities across Britain, whatever their size and location, have not experienced instances of anti-social behaviour.

Whether youths hanging about outside shops or a group of teenagers noisily messing around at the local cricket club after dark, it manifests itself in many forms.

“I think people associate anti-social behaviour with hoodies – the stereotypical image of youths on street corners – but it is much more far-reaching than that,” says Inspector Pam Mills, of Tong and Wyke Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT).

“It can be motorcycles being used on spare land, problem neighbours, all sorts of issues – inconsiderate parking can constitute anti-social behaviour.

“There is sometimes a fine line,” she says. A group of youngsters hanging about on a street corner kicking a football isn’t anti-social, but if they are repeatedly kicking the ball against someone’s garage door, it is. “Often, it is about different levels of tolerance,” she adds.

In the year up to March 29, 2011, 12,290 calls to Bradford South Police reported anti-social behaviour – 14 per cent of the total of 86,000 calls to the division.

This represents a sizeable fall – 29 per cent – from the previous year, where 17,290 calls related to the problem.

The drop is good news for the police, who have implemented a process to tackle the issue that is bringing good results. “We are heading in the right direction,” says Insp Mills.

In dealing with calls, the police follow a specific process which ensures that all are dealt with in the same way. This takes into account a number of factors.

“We look at how many calls we’ve had to a particular location, the situation of the complainant, their vulnerability, whether any suspects are known, any action that has already been taken and what the complainant would like the outcome to be,” explains Insp Mills.

Officers examine each factor and assess whether removing one could spell an end to the problem.

Insp Mills cites an example as youths congregating on a low wall outside a Bradford off-licence. “The low wall was the issue – once that was altered so they could no longer sit on it, the problem stopped – sometimes the simplest solution works.”

‘Diversions’ are also effective, such as special sport camps for youngsters – there have been a number in Bradford run by officers from Neighbourhood Policing Teams, which are continuing to attract large numbers of young people. Successful schemes in Wyke and Buttershaw are being followed up by similar activities in Holme Wood.

“We are always looking at ways we can develop activities and positive opportunities for young people,” says Insp Mills.

And education plays a major role, making householders aware of issues that may seem fine to them, but are seen as a problem by neighbours, such as playing loud music.

She stresses that while young people may feel they are blamed for anti-social behaviour, they are not always the cause of problems.

Anti-social Behaviour Orders (Asbos) – which are expected to be abolished by the Government later this year – are, she says, “a last resort,” implemented only after warnings, which prove sufficient in many cases.

The force’s work to combat anti-social behaviour does not go unrecognised by the community. Recent problems ironed out by PCSO Denis Bennett of the Tong and Wyke NPT, working with PC John Thornton and other PCSOs, generated praise from residents.

Householder Beverley Whomack said that their work had made a marked difference to quality of life in the area. “We haven’t got cars running up and down when your children go out, there’s no fighting, or kids with drugs,” she said. “All the neighbours say it has made a big difference.” Behind the scenes, a public confidence unit follows up incidents with members of the public, and feed the information back to the officers concerned.

“The unit does a lot of good work. The process enables us to look for best practice and any areas that can be improved. It is about giving the public our best service and learning from our mistakes too,” says Insp Mills.

Despite their successes, officers are anything but complacent. “The process in place is working, but there is still room for improvement,” she adds.