Record of Incidents
Incident Diary

These guidance notes have been prepared to assist you in keeping a diary of events or incidents that are relevant to the anti-social behaviour. If you have been asked to keep a diary and these simple guidelines are followed it may make it easier for Derby Homes to assess the extent of the present problem, and to take action against the perpetrators, if it can be established that there has been a breach of tenancy conditions.

In very severe cases where County Court action may become necessary, or is used as a final resort, your diary may be able to be produced as evidence. If you wish to take your own private action against the perpetrators it is likely that you will have to keep a diary in this format anyway.

The points listed below relate to the contents of your diary. Those listed under “General Points” are essential factors to take into account if your diary is to be accepted as evidence, particularly in any Court action.

Those points listed under “Specific Points” are there to provide you with an indication of the information you should include, wherever possible for each incident that you record.

Keep this information handy, preferably with your diary, so that you can refer to, and use it as a checklist, when making your entries. You will not be able to give all the information overleaf for each incident, but give as much as you can.

GENERAL POINTS
1. The diary must be written by you. Do not ask someone else to write, or dictate it for you unless there are exceptional circumstances.
2. Events or incidents should be recorded immediately after they occur, or as soon as possible afterwards.
3. Only include events that you saw, heard or were involved in. Do not include anything that someone else has told you happened, no matter who they are.
4. Make a separate entry for each incident.
5. Ensure each sheet you submit bears your name, address, sheet number and is signed.

SPECIFIC POINTS
1. The date and time of the incident (denote am or pm).
2. Where the incident occurred.
3. Your location at the time of the incident.
4. Detail the incident as it occurred, in a logical order.
    a) Wherever possible refer to people by name. If this is not possible write down a description of the person/s.
    b) If the complaint is noise related, describe the noise as best you can, where it appeared to come from. If loud music, was it the TV, radio or hi-fi? Can you indicate the type of music, record or artist?
    c) When detailing verbal abuse comments, try to use precise wording the perpetrator used, even if you find it offensive.
5. If Police are called make a note of Police Officers name and number and ask for the incident number. This will help when tracing the call at a later date on the police computer.