Sussex PCC video log: Neighbourhood disputes increase by 196% in lockdown

In April, Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne awarded a three-year £200,000 contract to Sussex Mediation Alliance to provide an alternative to the criminal justice route for neighbourhood disputes. The group now receives referrals from Sussex Police and works to reduce conflict between parties, helping to lessen the burden on police time and resources.

During 2019-20 the alliance offered support to 693 people to resolve neighbourhood disputes ranging from noise complaints to harassment and parking disagreements. In lockdown months they have seen a 196% increase in referral numbers compared to the same time last year - supporting 285 people in this time.

Case Study: Mr and Mrs A have been living in their house in Sussex for five years. The B family moved in next door 18 months ago and started doing some DIY to make the garden a safe space for the children during lockdown.

Mrs A, who is often ill and stays at home was very upset by the noise and so went out to speak to her neighbour. This turned into a very heated discussion quickly with shouting and strong language across the garden wall. The B family called the police as they felt threatened.

A police officer suggested a referral to the mediation service, which all parties agreed to. During the mediation meeting both Mrs A and Mr B were able to talk directly to each other with the mediator’s support and express how the situation had been affecting them. The joint meeting enabled a plan to be put in place to cooperate as the work continued, so that their lives could be lived as normally as possible during the process.

After the mediation, Mrs A told the mediation service that she ‘felt a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.’ Mr B said that ‘mediation had given them a safe space to talk through all the issues and find a manageable way forward.’