Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about anti-social behaviour near Mr X’s home. This is because we could not add to the Council’s response and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about anti-social behaviour near his home. He says the noise and shouting is affecting his family’s well-being. Mr X wants the Council to stop the anti-social behaviour.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide:

• we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation, or
• further investigation would not lead to a different outcome(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

3. If we are satisfied with an organisation’s actions or proposed actions, we can complete our investigation and issue a decision statement. (Local Government Act 1974, section 30(1B) and s34H(1), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Mr X complained that a child was behaving anti-socially near his home.
7. The Council told Mr X it was taking a multi-agency approach to deal with the matter. It told Mr X it could not share more information because of data protection rules.
8. As part of my enquiries to the Council, it told us it was dealing with the matter and I am satisfied it has taken reasonable steps to resolve the issues. I am therefore unable to add to the Council’s response and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome for Mr X.
9. If Mr X is still experiencing problems with anti-social behaviour, it is open to him to make a further complaint to the Council.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because we could not add to the Council’s response and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman