Nuisance News Issue 47

ocial Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group

nuisance news The quarterly newsletter of the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group

Issue 47

Sept 2008

7th and 8th October - dates not to be missed No matter what your

Matt Baggott Chief Constable, Leicestershire Police

involvement in tackling ASB

Twilight Bey, Leading Social Intervention Specialist

- our two day conference in

District Judge Weaver

Carol Chambers, ADCS Chair

Ian McGibbon, Guns & Gangs Task Force, Home Office

Geoff Thompson Youth Charter for Sport, Culture and

Telford is one not to be missed. It brings together housing, social services, community organisations and criminal justice to look at the myths and the realities of

Arts

anti-social behaviour. It promises to be the must-attend

plus presentations from the National Youth Agency,

conference of the year. This year is has been extended as

Youth Task Force, CLG, RSLs, Home Office, TPAS, Audit

a direct result from feedback from our members. By

Commission, SLCNG, Probation Service and the legal

extending its length, we will be able to provide delegates

profession.

with even more information on how they can develop

Exhibition

effective strategies for tackling anti-social behaviour.

Our conference is supported by an enlarged exhibition

Leading speakers

where you will be able to talk to some of the leading

Speakers include

providers of services to our members

Vernon Coaker, MP Home Office

To find out more and register

Eve Pollard, Former Tabloid Editor

Log onto www.slcngconf.co.uk or call 024 7657 1111

ocial Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group

Busy time at Harrogate

Next issue

Thank you to all the members who took

Interest in the 2008

time to come along and say hello at

‘Delivering Results’

Harrogate. Once again, our stand was

Awards was exceptionally

very busy and generated a large number

high. Thank you for your

of enquiries from organisations that are

support. Awards will be

interested in the benefits of SLCNG

presented at the

membership. There was certainly a large

Conference on the 7th

amount of positive feedback on our

October. In our next issue

completely re-designed stand and bold messages. This modular based system is easy to transport and is being used at a number of exhibitions throughout the UK.

we will be featuring the many examples of excellent practice that you have told us about.

SLCNG

In this issue

Wagons roll

SLCNG

2 Editorial ASB in a rural setting is no idyll 3 Representing You 4 Harrogate – a novices view 5 Autumn Events 5 Scottish Government Review of the National ASB Strategy 6 Our new members 6 ASB Forum in Northern Ireland 7 Share your news with us 7

Insider’s View

Sponsor Features

The Casey Review

Whiteheads ReACT

Feature

Members News

2

8

9 24

Bristol City Council

10

National Conference Solihull CH Leicester CC Derby Homes whg Helena Partnerships Maidstone HT Twynham HA Stafford & Rural Homes HA Meres and Mosses HA Luton BC New Progress HA Wirral MBC Eastlands Homes Clwyd Alyn HA Three Valleys HA Cheltenham BH Leeds Federated Guinness Northern Counties Orbit Heart of England HA Sheffield Homes Arena HA Oxford CC One Vision Derby Homes Knowsley Housing Trust.

Homes in Havering Kirklees NH

12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 17 18 18 19 19 19 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 23 23 23 24

After months of apparent inactivity, we suddenly find ourselves in the middle of a veritable maelstrom of government policy documents and review papers on crime and anti-social behaviour including : The [Flanagan] Review of Policing [February] The Youth Taskforce Action Plan [March] The [Casey] Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime Review [June] Youth Crime Action Plan [July] Policing Green Paper [July] So, at last, it seems that the Departmental wagons are rolling to tackle the big issue of crime and anti-social behaviour. The consensus is that a genuinely cross -departmental approach exists in Government. Or does it?

The role of the police in tackling crime is fundamental. Increasingly, partner agencies are playing an important part and the Casey Review spelled out the role for communities too. The role of the police in tackling ASB has always been less clear, mainly because it isn’t crime and it isn’t defined.

Hence the historic importance of the role played by social landlords in dealing with anti-social behaviour. After all social landlords have a tenancy agreement to uphold and powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. But the implication of the recent reviews will mean that we are going to see an increasingly prominent role for the police. That will be a good thing as long as everyone remembers to work in partnership and that all understand the powers available to social landlords. Anecdotally, social landlords tell of explaining, sometimes repeatedly, to police and other partners about the extent of their powers and the influence that they have in their community.

On the other hand, we know that elsewhere partnership working has evolved into a powerful force for change. What we desperately need is for the best practice in some areas to become the standard practice everywhere. It is vital for all of us to keep reminding our partners locally and nationally of the pivotal role that social landlords can play in tackling ASB. The Youth Crime Action Plan, (p 79) contains consultation questions. There you will find the only reference to the role of “housing authorities”. Perhaps members will respond to that question as well as the general issue of the role of social landlords in tackling anti-social behaviour.

Finally, the Youth Crime Action Plan sets out the “triple track approach” of enforcement and punishment, prevention and support. The Plan purports to be a “comprehensive, cross-government analysis of what further we need to do to tackle youth crime”. Social landlords might have expected one of the signatories to the Plan to be Hazel Blears at DCLG, but sadly her name and Department were missing. Some might say the Plan is all about crime and, therefore, not the responsibility of social landlords. Surely they will miss the point.

Joined up thinking? - We hope so!

Peter Jackson, Managing Director

SLCNG The Policy Advisory Group (PAG) was established in

almost all ASB research is based upon

2007 to shape our policy agenda. PAG membership is

urban models and

drawn from both company and affiliate members. In

experience, should we question whether

this first in a series of articles from PAG members, Steve

our understanding of ASB overlooks

Kilsby, of Oxford City Council's team postulates that, as

important rural dimensions?

ASB in a rural setting is no idyll The culture within smaller rural communities is different from that in urban environments, according to research. People are generally less willing to discuss issues concerning their neighbours, and give evidence relating to them.

Such areas can be perceived by the authorities as relatively “quiet� and their problems relatively minor when compared with urban environments.

An important dimension is the impact of travelling communities, and of incomers. In both cases, the affected could be either the indigenous population or the incoming group. For instance, it is well known that "incomers" like to make their mark upon communities, both by eradicating traditional rural features, such as muck on the roads, the noise of cows (seriously!), the ring fencing of village school catchment areas, and the availability of social housing. These mores are at odds with those of many of the indigenous inhabitants, and may work against them both economically and socially.

Specifically, local teenagers often feel "trapped" in villages (I grew up in a village, and felt exactly that until I went away to college). If they stay in their communities, the chances of being housed locally are probably lower than for those in urban areas, particularly as there may be strong resistance to local affordable housing schemes, as cited above. If they then move away, transport links back to their home areas are often very poor.

Travellers can cause many issues in villages, and I am aware of two villages in Oxfordshire affected by attempts by now settled travelling communities to control their environments, leading to conflict, hostility and intimidation. The latter is all the more scary in a village where, de facto, the authorities are harder to engage and less visible than they would be in urban areas.

Racial discrimination can be a particularly thorny

problem in villages. I have a close family member who experienced this growing up as a member of the only asian household in an isolated village; discrimination was rife, but who could you tell (and, 30 to 40 years ago, even if you told, who would recognise and understand the problem)?

I have been aware of ASBOs being made against residents of villages where the campaigns of intimidation have made urban ASB cases look pale by comparison.

Very often in such cases, the authorities are not brought in until the crisis is major, partly through ignorance, and partly through insularity on the part of all involved.

I would contend that it is most likely to be landlords with large urban and small rural stocks that fall foul of these mis-perceptions, as opposed to landlords whose stock is distributed over multiple rural areas.

One specific analogy I would draw is with multi-storey blocks of flats. Urban ASB workers know that these can act as a tinder box of ASB and crime that can ignite very quickly, and where intimidation can be well hidden by poor accessibility of victims and witnesses. This is precisely what can also happen in villages, where relationships are necessarily more intense than in urban areas where people often do not know their neighbours.

That is to say that small rural villages can provide a much more heightened perception of ASB and intensify the problems presented, and where witnesses may be more likely to be distressed by anti-social behaviour in whatever form it occurs. These are points that urbanfocussed best practice has yet to address.

There is a need to firmly deal with some of these issues, and to ensure that rural ASB, whilst not as common as urban ASB, is recognised for what it is - arguably, more harassing, alarming and distressing than the majority of cases we townies ever come across. This understanding needs to permeate to our funding regimes, as well as within the profession, so I would like to thank SLCNG for providing a platform for raising this debate.

If you have experiences that you would like to share on dealing with ASB in a rural community email : nick@slcng.org.uk

3

SLCNG

Representing You With over 300 member organisations, representing more than three million tenancies, the SLCNG is uniquely placed to make our members voice heard where it matters. One of the ways we do this is by responding to consultation papers issued by government.

On the Policing Green Paper, SLCNG will On the Sentencing Guidelines consultation on sentencing ASBO breaches, SLCNG said “82% of the public support or strongly support ASBOs. Community perceptions about the increased use of community orders needs to be handled carefully to counter the view that ASBOs are “going out of fashion”, or that the Courts are

submit comments, suggestions, amendments and constructive criticism that reflect the views and interests of the SLCNG membership. The Green Paper – “From the Neighbourhood to the National: Policing Our Communities Together” – develops several of the recommendations from the earlier “Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime” report that are directly relevant to and will impact on all social landlords. The Green Paper is available on the Home Office website at http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/ police-reform/Policing_GP/ The consultation closes on 10 October, please e-mail your views to eamon@slcng.org.uk by the end of September.

adopting a soft approach to tackling anti-social behaviour and becoming inattentive to communities’ priorities.

ASBOs work. In overall terms, 50% are not breached. The experience of SLCNG’s membership is that the appropriate use of ASBOs helps turn peoples’ lives around. The granting of an ASBO is often key to the full engagement of some partner agencies in ensuring that the full range of support for perpetrators is forthcoming.

The sentencing approach of the Courts should not be used as a way to deter the use of ASBOs by social landlords and

In a letter to the Secretaries of State at the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, the DCLG and the DCSF, SLCNG said “When it comes to getting things done, we all know that the local housing officer is usually the driving force. Housing Officers resolve 83% of anti-social behaviour by acting quickly – and without having to resort to formal interventions. Social landlords are increasingly effective in supporting tenants and their families so that they can change their behaviour without needing to resort to the ultimate sanction of eviction.

It is the view of SLCNG that a new impetus is needed by Government to ensure that:

every agency that plays its part in delivering multi-agency solutions to tackle ASB, recognises and understands the vital role

their partners.”

of social landlords, and

Copies of the complete consultation responses are available at www.slcng.org.uk 4

there is no confusion about where the responsibility for tackling ASB lies within Government

Logic suggests that one Department takes over-all responsibility for coordinating action to tackle anti-social behaviour. Which Department would take the lead?”

SLCNG

Harrogate 2008 – a novices view

stayed up way past my bedtime and loved it all.

Although my

The opening day

colleagues tried

proved a tiring

to explain to me

revelation to me.

the scale of the

Visitors to the stand

Chartered

were almost constant

Institute of

and came from not only all points of the UK but from as

Housing

far away as New Zealand (the government representative

Conference held

seemed very interested in our work).

in Harrogate each

That evening our company hosted an event which was

year nothing

well received by the invitees and Wednesday proved no

could have prepared me for the sight that greeted me on

less busy. None of this however prepared me for the

the Monday afternoon I arrived to help set up our stand.

onslaught that was the last day of the conference when

As I walked through the main entrance of Hall A it

the tenants and residents from all over the country

seemed to go on for miles with a bewildering array of

arrived. I cannot recall another day where I had no

stands offering a huge range of services to the eagerly

opportunity to sit down or take a break. Neither can I

awaited delegates. And this was only one of the halls

recall handing out so many cups, pens, key rings and

being used for the three day event.

clocks to so many people (the upside is I did not have to

Most of the exhibit had been prepared for us so to an

load them into the car for the journey back).

unpractised eye the SLCNG stand looked both bright and

So Harrogate 2008 for me was, long busy days and even

inviting. The opening day would see whether or not that

busier nights, with little time to see everything else on

would be the case. Having ‘stored’ our goodies, we left to

offer.

change for the first evening event.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat I would!

A great evening was had and new friends were made. I

Nick Mackley

Autumn Events Date

Topic

Location

3rd September 2008

DDA Mental Health Training

Sheffield

11th September 2008

DDA Mental Health Training

Liverpool

17th - 19th September 2008

NHF Conference

ICC Birmingham

23rd September 2008

Scottish RSL's Meeting

Stirling

1st October 2008

Southern Regional Meeting

London

2nd October 2008

DDA Mental Health Training

London

7th - 8th October 2008

SLCNG Annual Conference

Telford

29th October 2008

North West / North Wales Regional Meeting

TBC

22nd October 2008

Midlands Regional Meeting

TBC

5th November 2008

South West / South Wales Regional Meeting

TBC

12th - 14th November 2008

TPAS Cymru / WTF Conference

Llandrindod Wells

5

SLCNG

Scottish Government Review of the National ASB Strategy Accepting the legal and judicial differences that

social behaviour deployed by local agencies, including the use of community wardens;

residents and practitioners alike.

It is, therefore, both interesting and illuminating to study the Scottish Government’s ASB Strategy and

Inform the development of performance frameworks for Community Safety Partnerships;

distinguish Scotland from the rest of the UK, the experience of ASB is very much a shared reality for

Consider the range of responses to tackling anti-

Consult with and involve key stakeholders in determining future priorities; and

Develop proposals for the improved operation of the ASB strategy.

Process and output

reassuring to see that social landlords are invited

The review is led by the Scottish Government’s

participants and actively engaged in it via Glasgow

Community Safety Unit, reporting to the Minister for

Housing Association.

Community Safety.

Some three years after the ASB (Scotland) Act came into

The review’s recommendations for how to improve the

force, the Scottish Government is reviewing the

national strategy will be reported to the Scottish

anti-social behaviour strategy.

Parliament by the end of 2008.

There are no plans to repeal the Act but the

Edinburgh Seminar

Government’s aim is to consider what is working well,

Following a seminar in Edinburgh

and what could work better.

on 28 July Bryan Healy, ASB Lead at

Review objectives:

Glasgow Housing Association and

SLCNG Company Member, told

Develop an understanding of the use and

Nuisance News” it is highly

effectiveness of key measures in the 2004 Act;

Consider whether the current balance between prevention and enforcement is appropriate;

Government is consulting with the sector in it’s review on how ASB is tackled in Scotland. Lessons have to be

Determine ways in which communities could

learned from previous experience and that best

become more usefully involved in the process of

practice is available for all to share. We eagerly await

tackling anti-social behaviour within their own

the findings of the review”

communities;

Updates

Consider future needs for community safety

We will be providing further updates on the review in

communications designed to raise public awareness

Nuisance News and on the our website

of national policy and local service delivery;

www.slcng.org.uk

Welcome to our new members 6

encouraging to ASB practitioners that the new

Company Members Glasgow Housing Association Affiliate Members Cadwyn Housing Association Dales Housing Ltd East Durham Homes Eastland Homes Partnership Ltd Leeds Tenants Federation Monmouthshire Housing Association Overslade Residents Association Pheonix Community Housing Association

Places for People Redbridge Homes Sandwell Homes Sarsen Housing Association Severn Vale Housing Association Southway Housing Trust Wellingborough Homes Associate Members Anthony Collins Solicitors Dickinson Dees LLP Tagish Ltd

SLCNG

ASB Forum in Northern Ireland Tackling ASB for Northern Ireland practitioners presents similar problems and opportunities as those experienced by many local authorities across Great Britain One major difference

with the remaining six due to sign up later this year.

ASB Fora While information sharing is extremely important in determining what action needs to be taken, the Housing Executive and the PSNI have jointly led out the establishment of ASB Fora in all council areas where the protocol has been signed.

The purpose of these Fora is to make the protocol a living document and to maximise it’s use by bringing the

However there is one major difference in Northern

four key agencies together on a regular basis to case

Ireland and that is that there is no legal requirement

conference individual cases of ASB and to discuss (and

placed on many of the leading service providers to co-

agree action on) local community safety priorities.

operate or share information on individual cases of ASB. We do not have legislation similar to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and therefore many of our existing partnerships are based on informal arrangements with limited accountability structures.

Feedback Feedback over the first twelve months of operation have confirmed that meaningful partnerships have developed out of ASB Fora and local service delivery in tackling ASB has improved in many areas.

Sharing Protocol

Trust has been built up between agencies and this is

In 2004 the Housing Executive established an

reflected in the range of initiatives that have been borne

information sharing protocol with the Police Service for

out of dialogue.

Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Over the remainder of 2008 the Housing Executive will

This has proved extremely beneficial for our 35 Housing

engage with the remaining councils to establish a

Executive District Offices in the sharing of crucial

network of Fora across Northern Ireland and we will seek

evidence to support legal action.

to encourage other statutory agencies to join as well.

In 2007 we expanded the use of the protocol

Like to know more

arrangements to include the Youth Justice Agency of

If you would like to know more about Tacking ASB in

Northern Ireland and local councils. We now have 20

Northern Ireland then contact Frank Mulhern

councils signed up to information sharing arrangements

(frank.mulhern@nihe.gov.uk).

Make sure that you share your news with us ocial Land Crime and lords Nuisance Grou

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Group Last year, Issue 46 we re-des June 2008 igned Nuisa in its new colourful nce News format. and launch new style From reade and layout ed it Recog r feedb are not has been ack, the nise initiat resting appreciated on our ive and number . Howe Share laurels commitmen ver, we of new and this best practi and regula t issue conta ce and housing r featur raise perfor ins a es. sector. mance New Repor Don’t delay across the ter - get your nominations Or more accura in as soon commentato tely, a Repre as you can.

With over senting r….. In You 300 memb line with view that er organ our than three Nuisance isations, News needs million be more representing tenancies, reflective placed to more to make the SLCNG of curren we have our memb t issues is uniqu commission matters. ers voice ely One of with autho ed someo heard where the ways ne consultation rity and we do this it experience provide papers is by respo a regula issued by to contains nding to r piece a summ governmen newsletter. for our ary of our t. This issue The first activity article from Deborah on your DDA Ment Ilott appea behalf.

These trainin al Healt rs in this edition. h Traini g course ng proved s have from her Many of so popul you will time at ar that further the Housi know Debor a joined in eight trainin ng Corpo ah 2001. Durin g ration which events bility for g this time have been she data and planned. performanc she had policy Details the introd have been responsie mana uction gement sent to of the new all memb regime (including Performanc in 2006) ers and , efficiency, they are e Indica summarised anti-social tor housing behaviour. on page manageme five.

Governmen She worke The impor nt and t on the d tance of implementa closely with centra Behaviour this training Act 2003. is demo tion of l the Anti-S nstrated Whiteheads Deborah by the ocial has a long article from , in this issue. career in currently our spons Conference social housin working or, for and Partnership. g, and she the Greate Exhibition is r Norwi The views -7& 8 ch Housi articles October that Debor ng are very 2008 ah expre much her generate Our annua sses in own and her comment l we hope from our conference that she New - Delive readers. will and ring Resul exhibition ts Award Inside you is now s can see over two days details Awards and being of the Delive which are held at ring design Results the Telfor Identi ed to: d fy innov Internationa ation and length social behav l Centre of the confe excellence .

By exten iour in tacklin rence , delegates ding the we will g antiwith even be able to provid more inform develop effective e ation on strategies behaviour. how they for tacklin can g anti-so ocial Land cial

that you share your news on how your organisation is handling many of the complex issues of anti-social behaviour.

Tell us about your innovations, your success

nuisan Crime and lords Nuisance Grou

The quar

letter of

ce news

the Socia l Landlords 7th and Crime and Nuisance 8th Oc Group tober Sept 2008 - dates not to be misse d Issue 47

No matte r what your involvemen t in tacklin Matt Baggott - our two g ASB Chief Const day confe Twilig able, Leices rence in Telford ht Bey, is one not tershire Leading Police to be Distric Social Interv missed. t Judge It brings ention Weaver Specialist together housing, Carol social servic Chambers, criminal ADCS Chair es, community justice Ian to look McGibbon, organisation anti-social at the myths Guns & s and Geoff behaviour.

Gangs Task and the conference Thompson It promi realities Force, Home ses to be of of the year.

Youth Charte Arts Office the musta direct This year r for Sport, attend result from is has been Culture plus prese feedback extending and exten ntations from our ded as its length from the Youth Task members. , we with even National Force, CLG, By more inform will be able to Youth Agenc Commission RSLs, Home provide effective ation on y, deleg , SLCNG Office, TPAS, strategies how they ates profes , Probation for tacklin can develo Audit sion.

Leading Service g anti-s p speakers and the ocial behav Exhibition legal iour.

Speakers include Our confe Verno rence is n Coake supported where you r, MP Home by an enlarg will be Eve Office able to Pollard, ed exhib providers talk to some Former ition of servic Tabloid of the leadin es to our Editor To find members g out more ocial Landlords and regist Crime and Log onto Nuisance er Group www.slcngc onf.co.uk or call 024 7657 1111 Thank you to all the members time to come along who took and say Harrogate.

Interest hello at in the 2008 Once again very busy , our stand ‘Delivering and gener was Results’ ated a large of enqui Awards ries from was excep number organisation tionally interested high. Thank s that are in the benef you for your support. membership its of SLCNG Awards . There will be was certai presented amount nly a large of positi at the ve feedb Conference completely ack on on the our re-designed 7th October. messages. stand and In our next This modu bold issue we will lar based easy to be featur transport system ing the many examp is and is being number les of used at of exhib excellent a itions throu practice ghout the that you have UK. told us about.

Busy tim e

stories, feedback from your communities

p

terly news

at Harro

gate

High quality copy of your organisation’s logo

Photographs, where applicable, that support your articles. All photographs need to be high quality to ensure they can be reproduced.

This is your newsletter so why not ensure

p

the Socia l Landlords

- just to name a few.

What we need is:

Articles, ideally around 200 to 300 words

Next issu e

in length

Your contact details if you would like other members to be able to contact you for more details.

Next Issue & Deadline The deadline for all articles is 1st October - items received after this date are unlikely to be included.

Due to space restrictions, articles received early will take priority.

Please email articles, logos and photographs to:-

nick@slcng.org.uk

7

Insider’s View

The Casey Review Deborah Ilott We are often deemed to be a society that is overly obsessed by our appearances. How often have I groaned at media coverage after a high profile awards ceremony?

And not because my favourite screen actor or writer has been yet again ignored – but because all of the hype was around how glamorous the latest ‘It’ girl did or didn’t look in their chosen outfit. I feel curiously the same having read the Casey review in June. There are a great many sound and sensible propositions in the 113 page report, but what caught the eyes of the media gods?

Tabards, bibs and uniforms.

Now I’ve read through The Cabinet Office’s Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime a couple of times (okay, life in Norfolk moves slowly), but there are no references to said items of clothing. Proposal 14 suggests that where community sentences are being carried out under the title of ‘unpaid work’ this should be changed to ‘Community Payback’ and this work should be more visible and demanding. So the work, rather than the offenders themselves, is what needs attention drawing to it. And isn’t this a telling state of affairs?

Much has already been made about the disparity between public perceptions of being a victim of crime (which remain high) and the actual levels of crime (which in most cases, are continuing to fall and quite steeply in some instances). The slightly more academic, but eminently readable appendix to the review (it’s a little drier than the main document, but benefits from the absence of the breathless analysis of the case studies) looks at this issue from both a national and a local perspective.

At a national level, perceptions are related to general characteristics – such as age – and our old friends the media (in the type of newspaper read). The main report looks at the difference between how crime is reported now, compared to the 1960s. The amount of space devoted to crime is the same, somewhat knocking a few rose tinted spectacles from the furrowed brows of those who persistently express the view that the past is a different country, where things were oh so much better.

However, what is different is the type of language that was used in the 60s – factual, not emotive. As the language of today becomes more inflammatory, the readership becomes used to hearing discussions expressed in this negative and pessimistic way. And

8

suddenly, we are all going to Hell in a handcart. This is a tough nut to crack.

At a local level, the sometimes equally pernicious local media has less of an impact. Perceptions of crime are related to the characteristics of the area and the person’s personal experience of crime. But at that level, green shoots of positive change are growing. Improving perceptions requires locally focussed, accessible and visible response to crime that the public understand and feel connected to. Step forward Neighbourhood Policing. By April 2008, the forty three police forces in England and Wales had put in place 3,600 dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Teams, made up of 13,500 police officers and 16,000 Police Community Support Officers. Although there is some way to go in terms of ensuring national consistency in how these services are delivered to the communities that they serve, it is clear from the work carried out by the review that the direction of travel is a positive one.

So why does all this matter? Why don’t we get this sort of forensic examination of what the public think about other areas of public service? Well, with crime and disorder, as the report correctly points out, a lack of confidence in the Criminal Justice System is linked with to the willingness of the public to co-operate with the police and other agencies. The CJS, unlike any other area of public service, relies heavily on the public confidence to operate effectively. Whilst we need to acknowledge that ‘the experts in crime tend to be local residents’ we also need to understand that ‘misperceptions of crime have been shown to underpin popular punitive opinion which can promote simplistic solutions to crime problems.’ And here we get to the fundamental flaw in the Casey review. There’s a lot of good stuff in there – rational analysis of evidence to come to some sensible recommendations, which will hopefully get carried forward. But it leans too heavily towards the view that the public is always right – if enough people say something at a public event, it must be true.

And this might be why I might be able to hear that handcart rolling down the streets of the fine city of Norwich – in any democracy it is the role of Government (local and national) to raise the quality of the debates that the public engages in and to challenge some of the myths that affect how our public services are delivered.

It is not a debate that any political party seems willing to engage in.

Sponsor

The Housing & Regeneration Act July 2008

There are a number of issues to consider if you plan to

The Housing and Regeneration Bill recently became an

offer a FIT and a Notice must be served on the tenant

Act and a few elements will be of interest to all social

indicating your intentions, the reasons for your

landlords.

decision, the location of the property to which the FIT

Tolerated Trespassers

relates and other information.

The key points are:

It should also be borne in mind that FITs are voluntary

Tenants who are currently Tolerated Trespassers by

and there is no obligation on the tenant to accept a FIT

virtue of a possession order being made will get

given the fact that they will lose their security of

their original tenancy back if they have continued to

tenure.

reside in the property.

One of the key aspects of a FIT is the inclusion of

This tenancy is referred to as a Replacement

support for the tenant and those that live with them.

Tenancy.

The support package is included in a Behaviour

All tenancies will revert to the previous type of

Support Agreement – a formal document that details

tenancy (i.e. Secure to Secure, Assured to Assured,

the behaviour that is expected of the tenant and the

Demoted to Demoted etc).

support that will be provided.

The rights / obligations are as they were in the

For RSLs this agreement is between them, the tenant

original tenancy.

and the local housing authority; for Local Authorities

Court orders remain in place.

the agreement is between them and the tenant.

If TTs were not included in consultations this will

Terminating a FIT

have no negative impact.

tenant’s (and others who live with them) behaviour through the provision of behaviour support services.

The process of terminating a FIT is easier for RSLs than

Rights including Right to Buy and claiming for

Local Authorities as there is no provision for tenants to

Disrepair are revived.

request a review.

Although omitted in earlier versions, the Act now covers Successor Landlords following stock transfer.

The purpose of granting the FIT is to improve the

No tenancy can be ended until a warrant is executed and the tenant has vacated the property.

The termination of a FIT requires the service of a Notice To Quit, however before this, the tenant must be given 14 days to request a review of the decision. If during this period, a notice about the review decision has

Family Intervention Tenancies

been served OR the tenant has not requested a review

These are new tenancies that can be granted to

OR the request has been withdrawn, a NTQ can be

someone when:

served. At present there is no guidance on how the

review process should be carried out.

A possession order has been made against their property.

Again this Notice must include several types of

A possession order could be made against their

information including confirmation that the authority

tenancy.

has decided to serve the NTQ, the effect this will have,

They could be subject to a possession order if they

the reasons for serving the NTQ etc.

had such a tenancy.

AND

Neil Whitehead, Practice Development Manager

9

Feature

Bristol’s approach .....in the spotlight Bristol City Council was one of four local authorities awarded Beacon status for 2007/08 in the theme of Preventing and Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour.

Bristol has gained significant experience of preventing and tackling antisocial behaviour in recent years as one of 10 Home Office ‘trailblazing’ Bristol City Council is the largest

authorities and latterly as a Respect area. The Beacon award went further to

provider of social housing in the

officially recognise Bristol as a national leader in this area of work.

city owning and managing 29,000 homes. Most of the properties are general needs housing and there are also a large number of sites designated for elderly or mature tenants.

This feature looks at Bristol’s achievements and how it is sharing best practice to make a difference

Innovative Projects The Beacon assessors were particularly impressed with Bristol’s innovative projects to tackle problems like anti-social families through its pioneering Family Intervention Project, and Streetwise campaign to tackle street begging.

More recently the authority has bid successfully for Challenge and Support funding to address the needs of young people at risk of perpetrating ASB. Marianne Hood MCIH, Independent Chair of the Advisory Panel for the Beacon Scheme, summarised Bristol’s success in accomplishing Beacon status “Bristol City Council achieved Beacon status for having clear strategic leadership; robust and transparent information and decision-making structures; listening to and involving customers and having a responsible and accountable partnership and achieving real outcomes!”

Learn and share with others The Beacon award gave Bristol City Council the opportunity to share and disseminate good-practice and learning with others. Over the year a packed programme of events and activities including training, lectures, seminars, workshops and shadowing opportunities have been delivered. The aim was to help improve services and raise the standard of life for individuals and communities across the country.

The Beacon programme has certainly enabled Bristol to learn from the experiences of other authorities - particularly the other Beacons - and to progress and drive services forward to meet the demands of customers with our partners in the city.

Challenging Anti-Social Behaviour Obstacles Together

If you would like your organisation featured in Nuisance News, please contact Nick Mackley, Tel: 024 7623 1748

Email : nick@slcng.org.uk

10

One particularly exciting aspect of Bristol’s Beacon activity has involved supporting and endorsing a new voluntary service called CABOT, (Challenging Anti-Social Behaviour Obstacles Together), who aim to provide peer support to members of the community affected by anti-social behaviour.

CABOT is pivotal in the Partnership’s efforts to increase community confidence and drive down perceptions of ASB.

Feature Promoting a Clean and Safe City Centre Environment As part of its programme of Beacon activities Bristol hosted two successful beacon events.

The first ‘Promoting a Clean and Safe City Centre Environment’ took place in April 2008.

Jan Ormondroyd, Bristol City Council Chief Executive, launched the event. She was joined by experts from across the Safer Bristol Partnership to showcase best practice in preventing and tackling environmental crimes, such as fly tipping, littering and anti-social drinking.

The event provided a great opportunity to share particular best practice in Bristol’s City Centre Marshals, Streetwise anti-begging project, talking CCTV and alcohol treatment services.

Beacon Showcase Building on the success and learning from this conference, a special Beacon Showcase event for 220 delegates was held over two full days in June. The event had the clear objective to “share best practice to make a difference.” The first day focused on Early Intervention and Prevention of ASB and was introduced by Julian Moss, Superintendent, Avon and Somerset Police.

The second day showcased Enforcement Practices with 25 informative workshops ran over the two days. These included the innovative, multiagency Streetwise project for tackling street based ASB and begging; restorative justice; tackling prostitution; parenting; preventing violent crime; tackling guns and gangs; dealing with domestic abuse and violence in the home and engaging with young people. Agencies showcased their work through a varied selection of exhibition stands. Delegates networked, browsed and, took away materials .

Entertainment Entertainment in the form of street music, video and dance was provided

by Basement Studio and Hello Interactive youth projects over the two days. Their visually stunning and thought-provoking youth led music, poetry and visual arts performances to the delegates were very well received.

Councillor Derek Pickup, Cabinet Member for Care, Tackling Deprivation and Crime, said:“Bristol has won national recognition for its innovative and highly successful approach to tackling anti-social behaviour. This event brought together representatives from local authorities across the country.”

Feedback Feedback and follow up requests from delegates show that

98% were very satisfied/satisfied that the objectives were met

96% were very satisfied/satisfied with their work related needs were met.

Beacon activity has enabled Bristol City Council to disseminate good practice to a wide audience and to learn from other organisations. They shall continue to progress and drive their services forward to meet the demands of their customers. .

To find out more asb@bristol.gov.uk 0117 352 5248

11

12

Members News

Tackling all anti-social behaviour incidents in Solihull

ASBO teenager turns his life around A 17 year old is the second person in Leicester to

A housing

have his ASBO removed early.

team has

Jake Warburton-Jones once made life a misery for

proved so

residents and visitors on the estate where he lived.

successful that it has been appointed to

His behaviour included intimidating and abusing shop workers and shoppers at a shopping precinct.

The Leicester Anti-Social Behaviour Unit obtained an

tackle all

ASBO on Jake and two of his friends in 2008. This he

anti-social

says made him realise that he needed to turn his life

behaviour

around, and that he and his friends were being

incidents that take place in the borough, whether the

branded as thugs which he didn’t like.

people involved are council tenants, private tenants or

Since he received the ASBO he has worked with

own their own homes.

Connexions and a personal advisor. He has worked

Solihull Community Housing team was formed in January

tirelessly to improve relationships between teenagers

2008 to investigate mainly serious and very serious issues

and elderly people on the estate. He is now helping

of ASB. It has taken a problem solving approach and

the very people who used to fear him, and has

recognises that the key to increasing public confidence

become a role model for young people. He managed

and providing sustainable solutions is to work closely with

to secure a £2,000 lottery grant and organised a trip

partner agencies such as the police, fire service, health

for over 50 residents - young and old - to Skegness.

services and other departments within the council.

Every case is investigated individually, complainants visited and other agencies liaised with to offer support to both the complainant and the perpetrator. If the intervention of help and support is unsuccessful then other legal or non-legal action is taken including Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Parenting Agreements,

The Leicester Anti-Social Behaviour Unit reviewed the ASBO and spoke to residents, shopkeepers and the police and it was apparent that Jake was having a positive and sustained impact on the estate.

At a dinner held on the estate for residents, Jake was told that an application had been submitted to the

Parenting Contracts, Mediation service, Anti-Social

County Court for the early removal of his ASBO. Jake

Behaviour Orders, Dispersal Orders and Individual Support

was also rewarded with 10 free driving lessons as a

Orders.

thank you for all of his hard work from local residents.

Enforcement action is usually the last resort in tackling

Jake said “When I was going through the court stuff, I

ASB and will only be used when it is appropriate in the

just woke up one day and thought I don’t want to be

circumstances.

like this anymore, I wanted to do something I could

On the streets

be proud of, and this is it – helping the community.

The team has put on their yellow fluorescent jackets and

I’m quite proud to have come from what I used to be

hit the streets of Solihull with the police and youth

like to what I’m doing now, I’m helping people and I

services. This is to engage and divert the young people

think older people here are happier, people say hello

towards youth activities, rather than hanging around

and smile at me in the street, whereas before they’d

shops or open spaces, intimidating passers by and causing

probably look away, I’m really happy now and my

ASB.

mum’s really proud of me”.

13

Members News

Enthusiasm for work placement Derby Homes, has been working successfully with the Enthusiasm Project to help young people on its estates get into work. Enthusiasm was founded in 1992 by Joe Russo, who is now the project’s Chief Executive. “When I moved to the Osmaston area of the city I realised how little provision there was for young people,” said Joe. “I set up a youth club and that evolved into other activities as other local residents became involved.

contractor. The other, Nicole O’Brien was invited to join Derby Homes to complete her placement.

All changed Nicole had been referred to the Enthusiasm Project because she was at risk of exclusion and was causing anti-social behaviour. She left school with no plans for the future and was a low achiever.

“Before I joined Enthusiasm I was into some bad things,” said Nicole, “but that’s all changed now. The project has helped me become a better person. It’s been the same at

Enthusiasm delivers three Youth Inclusion Projects,

Derby Homes. Everyone was very helpful and I’ve really

working in deprived communities with 11-16 year olds

enjoyed my placement.”

who are most at risk of offending. Its activities include workshops for young people tackling issues such as alcohol and teenage pregnancy, and intensive one-toone mentoring to build the skills and confidence of the

Nicole has made such a good impression that she was offered a place with Derby Homes on a Youth Training Scheme. Nicole is very positive about her opportunity to progress. “I’m looking forward to working in a housing

young people involved.

office,” she said. “I’ll meet new colleagues and tenants,

Placements for two young people

and it’ll give me a better understanding of Derby Homes.

“Joe Russo told us that they had two people who were

Hopefully it will also help me to achieve my ambition of

ready for work,” explained Christine Hill, Derby Homes’

becoming a housing trainee.”

Personnel Manager,“but the project was struggling to

“We’re so proud of Nicole,” said Christine Hill. “Now that

find anywhere for them to complete a work placement.

she is working in a local housing office I believe it will

As these were young people who were living on our

send a positive message to other young people in the

estates, we decided to help out.” A placement was

area and show them what can be achieved.”

Housing groups come together

many, it is important that we tackle anti-social behaviour successfully.

All social landlords in Walsall recently got together to

“By all registered social

share ideas on how to tackle anti-social behaviour across

landlords in Walsall

the borough.

coming together like this

The Walsall Respect Partnership meets on a regular basis

we can share best

to tackle anti-social behaviour. The group consists of

practice, learn what one

whg, Beechdale Community HA, Mercian, Bromford,

another are doing, and

Accord, Caldmore Housing, and WATMOS.

see the many success stories of people and communities

The Respect group recently met at whg’s offices as part

which have tackled anti-social behaviour and its causes.

of its on-going drive to share best practice and hear

“It is crucial that we share information with each other,

about real life case studies. Chaired by whg’s Community

and by utilising the Safer Walsall Borough Partnership in

Safety Manager Annette Harpin, the group ensures that

this way we can adopt a common approach which will

its work and protocols align with those of the Safer

make us all more

Walsall Borough Partnership.

effective in tackling

whg Group Chief Executive, Liz Walford, said: “Customers

this important issue.”

are at the heart of our business, and we know that for

14

arranged for one of the youngsters with a Derby Homes

To find out more Perry Buck 01922 426811 email perry.buck@whgrp.co.uk

Members News

Youngsters experience life behind bars Eight youths from St Helens have experienced first-hand what it would be like to be behind bars.

The youngsters, aged 11-19 recently took part in the Evolution programme, which is run in conjunction with Helena Partnerships. The project aims to deter youths involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour from their

Many of the group have now enrolled onto other courses

current lifestyle before it is too late and they end up in

and activities instead of engaging in anti-social

prison. It also aims to dispel all the myths about what

behaviour. Some have already signed up to a local gym,

prison life is like.

whilst others have shown interest in Prince’s Trust courses

The youths were referred onto the programme by

and New Start Plus. One of the youngsters has also

neighbourhood officers, community support officers and

handed himself into police for a crime he committed

other agencies. Their three day programme began with

prior to starting the Evolution course.

discussions around victim empathy, lifestyles and prison

The pilot project was designed by Craig Fletcher to try

life in a classroom environment.

and deter the youngsters from making the same

On day two the group went on a prison visit to HMP

mistakes he did when he was younger.

Wolds in Hull, where the youngsters were able to see

Craig, 30, was arrested in 2004 for supplying Class A

with their own eyes where their lives could end up

drugs on the streets of St Helens and was sentenced to

should they choose not to change their lifestyle. During

four and a half years. When he was released in 2006 he

their visit they had chance to speak to a group of

decided to turn his life around and do something

prisoners and ask questions about prison and crime

positive. Craig said:“Through this initiative we hope to

before going to view a prison wing.

get youngsters off the street, turn their lifestyle around

The final day was spent working with the participants to

and start doing something productive with their lives.

discuss their options and engage them on another

The visit to prison gives them a first-hand experience of

positive programme which aims to keep them on a

what prison is like and brings home the reality of life

pathway into productive society and employment.

behind bars.”

Crack House Closure A property in Maidstone, has been closed for three

Community Safety Manager Lisa Smith said “People do not want drugs in their community. We will continue to work with residents, Kent Police and other agencies to tackle illegal and anti-social activity.”

months under a Crack House Closure order, following

Maidstone Housing Trust will be seeking to take

months of work by Maidstone Housing Trust staff,

possession of the property, and are taking further

customers and local police.

action against other customers identified during the

A court order issued bans anyone, including the tenant,

police operation who were using Maidstone Housing

from returning to the property following evidence of

Trust property for illegal and anti-social purposes.

illegal drug activity and anti-social behaviour. The action is part of a wider police operation which resulted in a number of raids and arrests across the town.

To find out more Claire Boxall, 01622 212553 claireboxall@maidstonehousing.org.uk

15

Members News

Disability not a bar to taking action Twynham Housing Association have secured possession of a property where the tenant was claiming the protection of the Disability Discrimination Act. They also

initially obtained against him.

butting one of his neighbours. He

The defence raised the defendant’s

was arrested and the committal was

mental health as an issue. The

then adjourned until the

housing association already had a

possession/injunction trial. At the

report from the defendant’s

trial, after protracted negotiations,

Consultant Psychiatrist that

the defendant signed a Notice to

concluded that the tenant should

Quit and an Injunction Order was

not be allowed to hide behind the childhood diagnosis of hydrocephalus. He was also of the

also made which included an exclusion from the area where the defendant previously resided

obtained an Injunction excluding

opinion that the tenant should be

At the committal trial the Judge

him from his property. In addition,

dealt with through the Courts. It was

concluded that this was a very

due to a serious breach of an interim

not until a couple of days before the

serious breach and he had no choice

Injunction, the tenant received a six

trial that the tenant’s medical

but to impose an immediate

month term of imprisonment.

evidence was served upon the

sentence of imprisonment for six

The tenant had been diagnosed with

association’s solicitors. This stated

months.

hydrocephalus as a child and also

that the defendant could be

Dot Pawlowski of Shoosmiths said

suffered with epilepsy as well as

considered to be disabled for the

“This was an excellent result and has

having a personality disorder. He

purposes of the Disability

brought much needed respite and

had caused serious anti-social

Discrimination Act, but was no more

relief to this tenant’s former

behaviour in the block where he

specific than that. It also, in addition,

neighbours. This case also proved

lived which had been exacerbated

confirmed the diagnosis of the

that discrimination is most certainly

when his partner moved into his

association’s expert.

not a bar to taking legal action

property. Due to an assault on, and

Days before the possession and

against tenants who refuse to abide

threatened assault to his neighbours,

injunction trial, the tenant breached

by the terms and conditions of their

a without notice Injunction was

the interim Injunction by head

Tenancy Agreement.”

a custodial sentence for a total of six years.

possession order after drug trial In 2005, two tenants of Stafford & Rural Homes were the subjects of a police investigation for drug-related offences at a property. Both were charged with supply of and possession with intent to supply controlled

16

Due to the seriousness of these events, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP commenced possession proceedings.

The woman defended the claim, arguing that the tenancy was sole not joint and using various statements as to her character and a petition from various neighbours urging her to be allowed to remain, although the integrity of this petition was questioned.

drugs and money laundering.

The District Judge found, as a matter of fact, that the

While awaiting trial for these crimes, the male

tenancy was joint and found that in any case, whether

defendant was arrested for blackmail, assault and affray

joint or sole, it was entirely appropriate to grant

for his behaviour towards a neighbour in connection

possession. Based on the Court of Appeal case of

with his drug-related activity. His son who also lived at

Sandwell v Hensley, as no cogent evidence was

the property was arrested for witness intimidation

accepted (although it was presented) that neither

against this same neighbour. Both tenants were found

defendants would change their behaviour in the future,

guilty of their respective offences and the man received

an Outright order was made.

No home for antisocial behaviour

Members News

Housing Association, has said that it will

Luton signs up to the Respect Standard

not tolerate anti-social behaviour.

Luton`s Social Behaviour

The comments follow an eviction for

Multi Agency Unit works to prevent enforcement action and has

anti-social behaviour from one of their

developed news ways of stopping anti-social behaviour through early

properties in Whitchurch which took

interventions such as ABC`s in schools, warning visits with CDRP partners

place in June following two years of

including the police and the YOT and Anti-Social Behaviour Notices that

continuous complaints relating to the

warn perpetrators they are being considered for an ASBO unless they

tenant and visitors.

change their ways

Julie Manning, the Neighbourhood

These actions have been so successful that since January 2006, the unit

Services Team Leader, who attended

has resolved over 500 cases of anti-social behaviour without recourse to

the hearing at Shrewsbury Court, said:

legal action

“There had been numerous complaints

Pat Ord from the Social Behaviour Unit said “Many cases have been dealt

related to noise, foul language, threats

with by the use of early interventions; however, we do not hesitate to

and intimidation. The eviction was

crack down on persistent offenders. We use all the tools at our disposal

achieved with the help of residents

including the `crack house legislation`, demotion of tenancies and anti-

who were prepared to give witness

social behaviour injunctions”.

statements and attended Court.”

At the event, over 100 attendees heard from a range of speakers involved

“We will not tolerate the anti-social

in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and how they take positive

behaviour the tenant had

action in dealing with anti-social behaviour issues.

North Shropshire’s newest not-for-profit housing landlord, Meres and Mosses

demonstrated and we are pleased that

Jail for breaching injunction

residents were able to help us deal with it so successfully.”

Possession of the property was granted to the association on the basis that the defendant had been given more than fair opportunity to amend their behaviour and had failed to work with anyone to resolve the issues.

In granting the Outright Possession order, the Judge considered whether, if by granting a Postponed Possession Order, the defendant would comply with the terms of the Order, but he did

A Lancashire man who repeatedly terrorised housing association tenants with alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour was sentenced at Preston County Court to three months imprisonment. He was sentenced after breaching the terms of his Injunction with Power of Arrest. The injunction, awarded to New Progress Housing Association in March, excluded him from the Pages Court area of Lostock Hal. The 53 year old, who is not a New Progress tenant, had repeatedly visited a property in the area and caused alarm and distress to residents.

Complaints to the local police and New Progress from neighbours about his persistent alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour led to legal action by

not believe the tenant would moderate

the association and his eventual imprisonment.

their behaviour.

Speaking in Court, the District Judge said:“You are seriously in contempt

Like to know more then contact:

of the order of this court and I

Jennie Barfoot, Managing

therefore impose a three month

Director on 0800 434628

prison sentence.”

To find out more Nykkie Berry 01772 450852 nberry@progressgroup.org.uk

17

Members News

Project is cream of the crop Ice cream vans can act as a magnet for youngsters; this time, teenagers in Beechwood weren’t greeted by Mr. Whippy but youth workers from Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team’s Youth Respect Team, as part of a brand new initiative.

The ice cream engagement project, funded initially by Wirral Drug & Alcohol Action Team, is an innovative

and his hand-crafted props.

approach to providing young people with information

By reaching out to teenagers in this unique way, Wirral

about alcohol misuse.

Anti-Social Behaviour Team is able to get a serious

The project sees a decommissioned ice cream van,

message across to young people who are able to have

staffed with workers from the Youth Respect Team,

fun whilst learning about the damage that alcohol can

touring Wirral twice a week, targeting hot-spots of anti-

cause and the effect that anti-social behaviour has on

social behaviour and areas where young people

communities.

congregate.

The van, whilst not serving ice cream, is stocked with

Beechwood Ballantyne Community Housing Association,

refreshments and snacks, to further encourage young

is sponsoring the ice cream van which also sees two

people to engage. It also has a comprehensive supply of

workers from the Youth Respect Team based in

information and literature for both young people and

Beechwood for an evening a week, supplementing

parents about alcohol and its work will be supported by

existing Youth Service provision.

Youth Services’ Response Service.

The work is being led by Rob Connolly, a specialist

One of the young people had this to say:“The ice cream

alcohol misuse youth worker, seconded from Youth

van and its team are cool and really good fun, they made

Services, who is renowned for the ‘beer goggles’ game

me laugh.”

Kids clean-up their communities A new project has been launched in east Manchester to

Twenty-seven children have so far signed-up to the project after hearing about it through word-of-mouth or referrals from other agencies. Each Tuesday a different team of nine children hit the streets between 5pm and 7pm to do the various tasks. Anyone who

encourage young people to take more pride in their

shows good behaviour and completes a set number

communities. Litter picking, gardening, cleaning and

of the exercises is then rewarded with a visit to places

sweeping are among the activities undertaken by the

such as the cinema, ten-pin bowling or the theatre.

Eastlands Homes Task Teams, which are made-up of six

Many local residents have praised the children, who

to12 year-olds from Beswick, Clayton and Openshaw.

they say are making a real difference in their area.

“This is a really exciting project,” said Sheila Doran,

Resident Cath Fothergill said: ”I saw the Task Team on

Chief Executive of Eastlands Homes. “Local children are

our street and I have to say that the kids have done a

enthusiastic about getting stuck in and they’re making

fantastic job cleaning it up.”

a real difference. As well as the obvious benefits of making our communities more attractive, the

18

Help is on-hand during the tasks from Eastlands Homes

children are learning new skills and growing in

staff, adults from the local community as well as

confidence.”

neighbourhood wardens.

Members News

Major conference in North Wales

STAR treatment Four estates in Long Eaton and Ilkeston received the STAR

Tenants and residents from across North Wales were among more than 100 people who attended a special conference in Mold to look at how to tackle issues of anti-social behaviour in the community.

treatment, when the Three Valleys’ Street Team Action Roadshow hit the road.

The conference was organised by the Clwyd Alyn Housing

Staff from Three Valleys Housing

Association, to listen to the needs of tenants and residents,

visited the estates and

and support them in helping to maintain healthy safe

spent the afternoon litter

environments in which to live.-

picking, carrying out

Mr Glyn Jones, Chairman of Clwyd Alyn, who opened the

minor repairs and

conference said:“We have a small but dedicated team of

checking the general

officers who deal with anti-social behaviour, working

tidiness of the area. Staff

alongside housing officers and partner organisations. We need

also cleared fly-tipped

to encourage and support residents and tenants to work with

rubbish and skips were

us, coming forward to report problems and providing

provided so residents could dispose of larger items

evidence that can help us take appropriate action.

of household waste.

The conference included an address by

The Street Team Action Roadshow (STAR) forms part

the SLCNG Managing Director, Peter

of a programme where all estates are visited on a

Jackson, During his address Peter said it

regular basis and concerted action is taken to tackle

was encouraging to see Clwyd Alyn

any issues that are identified. Head of

leading the way in North Wales by

Neighbourhood Management, Alf Mclean, said:“Our

holding a conference to consult with

street teams identified these areas as priority for

tenants on the whole issue of anti-social

action and by carrying out this work we hope to

behaviour.

encourage our residents to get involved and be able

He spoke of the obligations facing social landlords to facilitate

to take pride in the areas where they live..”

solutions to problems, not only in court action, but in a joint

To find out more

approach to tackling issues

To find out more

Phil Campbell 0844 770 3500

within the community.

Judith Gavin, 01745 536914

phil.campbell@threevalleyshousing.com

Working to stamp out ASB

the residents concerns.

Helping identify those that cause anti-social behaviour has been made easier by the installation of CCTV at the

Cheltenham Borough Homes worked closely with the

rear of the properties. For the first time in years residents

police to provide community support and action against

are now parking their cars around the back knowing that

anti-social behaviour in and around two blocks of one

they are more secure.

bed flats. This action led to a number of tenants being

As a result of the CCTV and strong action by the landlord

evicted for behaviour that had caused havoc and

incidents of vandalism and fly tipping have been

disruption towards their neighbours. The behaviour

reduced. Residents have become more confident in their

ranged from damage to property, noisy parties through

reporting of problems and have since setup their own

to threatening behaviour and drug and alcohol misuse.

Tenants and

To find out more

Residents are supported by staff that regularly visit the

Residents Group.

Clare Eccles, 0800 408 0000

blocks to gain local information and views surrounding

Clare.eccles@cheltborohomes.org

19

Members News

False identities to obtain properties to rent to students Justice was seen to be done at Leeds County Court when Leeds Federated was granted immediate possession of two properties from a tenant who had used false identities to obtain the properties which he subsequently sub-let to students, making a considerable financial gain for himself.

The matter came to light as a result of a concerned neighbour reporting her suspicions which led to a long and complex investigation.

Youth inclusion project Guinness Northern Counties is signed up to the “Respect Agenda” and supports a range of diversionary projects as a way of tackling anti-social behaviour.

The anti-social behaviour team recently received reports of youths causing annoyance on an Rochdale estate. Having interviewed some of the youths involved, a number were referred to the Youth Inclusion Project (YIP).

Set up in 2006, the aim of the YIP is to reduce offending and anti-social-behaviour in a core group

In 2000, Mohammed Fawaz Alghofari and his family had

of young people who live on the estate. They work

purported to be homeless, living with friends and in urgent

intensively with youth workers in a number of ways

need of rehousing. In fact he, his wife and family were

to build inter-generational relations and to project

residing in a three bedroom council property. In light of his

a positive image of young people.

application, he was offered a three bedroom property.

It later became clear that shortly after moving in, the family moved out of the property never to return and a steady stream of other people were seen to occupy the premises.

In October 2003, a man in similar need made an application for housing for himself and his family under the name of Mohammed Fawaz. A four bedroom terraced property again in the popular student residential area of Woodhouse, was offered and accepted by the applicant.

Subsequently, it appeared that the tenant of each house was the same individual. He was charging rent of between £250

Some of those referred to the YIP have taken part in

and £325 per room per month in social housing properties

graffiti removal and painting projects to improve

he was renting for around £80 per week.

unsightly buildings on the estate. They have also

An application was made to the court to recover possession

made hanging baskets for pensioners. By being

of both properties. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the

helped to turn a corner and to contribute positively,

matter was contested, the defendant alleging that in relation

many of these young people have learned to

to one of the properties he had simply been acting on

respect and trust in others, developing self esteem

behalf of his cousin (who just happened to have the same

and a positive, responsible outlook. In March 2008

date of birth).

the Project was given the seal of approval by Jack

Two neighbours, together with a former resident of one of

Straw who visited the base and chatted to staff and

the properties, attended court to give evidence.

young people.

In his summing up of the case, the Judge said, that it

Paul Mundy, an ASB Caseworker comments,“the

appeared a social housing provider was being used as a

Yip project and others like it show that tackling ASB

‘cash cow’ and that in both cases, it was reasonable to grant

is not merely about ASBOs and Injunctions. Support

the orders for

and diversion offer people a chance to correct

immediate possession.

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To find out more Stephen.barry@lfha.co.uk

problem behaviour and to contribute positively to society”

Members News

Possession order against dog breeder Orbit Heart of England Housing Association successfully obtained a possession order against a tenant who ran a dog breeding business from the property she rents from the association.

Over many years it had been brought to the attention of the association that the tenant had been breeding the German Shepherd type dogs at her three bedroom property. Not only did her tenancy agreement prohibit the running of a business from the property but her activities caused a serious nuisance to her neighbours.

The association was unsuccessful persuading her to cease her activities and recognising its responsibilities to her neighbours, they applied to the Court for a Possession Order.

Burglary Initiative Sheffield Homes works closely with South Yorkshire Police to try and prevent burglary across the city of Sheffield. Last year, it was decided that they should consider taking action against tenants when they commit a burglary in the locality of their home and the burglary initiative was created.

The initiative involves the seconded police officer in Sheffield Homes’s ASB unit receiving a list of all burglaries each month.

Any committed by Sheffield City Council tenants are passed to the patch officer with knowledge of the area. If the burglary occurred in the locality, then official police conviction disclosure is requested and an Notice of Seeking Possession is served based on the criminal conviction.

In a recent case it was decided to take possession action against a tenant who had committed a burglary at one of his neighbours.

This was the first time that burglary had been considered appropriate to apply to court. The area where the burglary was committed has numerous problems of anti-social behaviour and crime. A strong message was sent to the community that this will

At the hearing the District Judge agreed that

not be tolerated. To support this case, in addition to a statement

the association order the tenant to vacate the

by the patch officer, the area housing manager gave a statement

property by a specified date, unless she was

explaining the impact burglary was having on this particular

prepared to remove the dogs from the property

estate and why it was necessary to apply for possession and take

and thereafter comply with the conditions of

action. Sheffield Homes were successfully granted a postponed

her tenancy, in which case the date for

possession order, which will be in force for 18 months. The judge

possession will be postponed for as long as

also made reference to

there

the impact statement

are no further problems.

To find out more Lucy Lilburn 01926 884100

given during the trial.

Crack house closure eviction

To find out more Carl Mullooly 0114 2735927 carl.mullooly@sheffieldhomes.org.uk

deemed sufficient.

The tenant, to everyone’s surprise, attended court and claimed they wanted to defend the application, causing

Arena’s ASB Team worked in partnership with Merseyside

the proceedings to be adjourned. At the following trial

Police for a crack house closure to take place in Anfield,

date, the tenant failed to show and after the support

Liverpool. The police had been receiving complaints of

worker explained to the judge that they could not

drug use from the address from surrounding neighbours.

contact the tenant over the past week, an immediate

In April, a crack house closure was granted by the

possession was granted.

Magistrates Courts and the property was closed for three

As the closure order was to be in place for three months,

months.

an application to discontinue the order had to be made

Arena moved quickly in applying to court for possession

before Arena Homes could arrange for the address

of the address under grounds 12 and 14. They had

to be specially cleaned

difficulty in serving the papers as the tenant was of no

and made into a new

fixed abode but service on the support agency was

home.

To find out more Jill Roberts 01744 755 221

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Members News

Let’s end the “Badge of Honour” debate now!

We have all heard of the argument that ASBO’s constitute a “badge of honour” amongst young people, and the Home Office has now interpolated a paragraph about it into the briefing pack sent to delegates to the ASB Conference of 8th May. The response they give there to this postulation is, I feel, not sufficient to end the debate, so I felt it would be helpful to put down my own thoughts about it so as to generate some further debate!

My take on the “badge of honour” furore is that it is a concept invented by a seedy journalist in a smoke-filled room based upon little knowledge of ASBOs or of the ASB legislation. Has any practitioner, I wonder, ever actually heard ASBO recipients use this term, other than as a repetition of what they have read or heard in the media? I certainly never have, and I have quite a lot of day to day contact with communities. Specifically, I deliver regular talks to a large secondary school (years 7 – 9) upon anti-social behaviour, and always ask them what they know of ASBOs. The response those young people give is universally the same – what they know is that “ASBOs ban you from your local area” (it is notable that no-one ever mentions the “badge of honour” platitude). If this is the case, how then

Make Over Volunteers from One Vision Housing, Evolve, and Myerscough College have given Kings Park in Seaforth a makeover thanks to a special campaign organised by 107.6 Juice FM and sportswear brand Adidas.

If a person is banned from their local area, unable to access services, unable to visit their friends, probably banned from associating with anyone that might also cause anti-social behaviour in the area, who can they then brag to? Who, in other words, can they wear their “badge of honour” for?

I believe the argument has not been thought through by the progenitors of the concept, and I do not believe it holds water when tested against the evidence of the very many successful ASBOs around the country. My view is that we should squarely deal with the “badge of honour” concept head on when it is put to us by the media (which is most likely) or by members of the public who have read about it in the media.

I would be interested in other practitioners’ take upon this; let’s get rid of all of the irritating minutiae that just causes minor problems for us in the way we deal with our already difficult jobs. Let’s tell it like it is; ASBOs work, and they work because they are a powerful a tool, and are as unlikely to be undermined by irresponsible rumour, as any of the more swingeing criminal sanctions – and they do this without being punitive. They are remarkable, and we should be saying so!

Steve Kilsby, Oxford City Council Send you views to nick@slcng.org.uk Over 30 volunteers took part in the revamp, which saw flower beds replanted, rubbish and graffiti removed and the play area repainted and given a fresh new look.

Jo Heuston, from 107.6 said “As well as tidying the area we have planted new trees and plants across the site, which not only improves the overall look of the area, but helps the environment.”

Local Housing Officer Shaun Williams said:“To be part of such a fantastic radio promotion, which is seeing a

As part of the campaign for

sports brand like Adidas getting involved in a project in

‘Adidas originals grün,’, 107.6

Sefton is wonderful, even more importantly we are

Juice FM and Adidas are

using this opportunity to help improve the

transforming five sites around the city.

environment

Kings Park was chosen as one of the winning sites after

for our tenants

Housing Officer Shaun Williams nominated the area for

and that is truly

the competition.

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can that be squared with “badge of honour” argument?

rewarding.”

To find out more Darren Nugent 0845 140 1234 darren.nugent@ovh.org.uk

Members News

Injunction against private resident Derby Homes has successfully secured an injunction against a private resident. An interim injunction was obtained in June after a member of Derby Homes staff was verbally abused and threatened by a resident living in private accommodation.

The interim order was granted and the case was reentered into court in July, when the judge extended the

order for a further 12 months. The order forbids the defendant from threatening or engaging in conduct that will cause a nuisance or annoyance to anyone in a specific geographical area of the city, which includes the place of work of the member of staff who was threatened. The order also forbids the defendant from abusing, harassing, assaulting or threatening to assault anyone in the same To find out more area. A power of arrest was attached to Jane Bettany, 01332 711044, jane.bettany@derbyhomes.org the order.

Joined-up working with the police In February, an 18 year old firearms suspect, was made subject to a wide ranging injunction to exclude him from his mother’s previous home and estate in Huyton, Merseyside. He was also sentenced to a 12 week suspended sentence for two breaches of the earlier emergency injunction obtained using police and housing officer evidence.

The man is the 18 year old son of an assured tenant of Knowsley Housing Trust. In 2007, inter-gang violence in the Huyton area increased and a number of shootings occurred. In November 2007 the defendant’s mother’s home was targeted by gunmen and his mother shot and wounded. There was strong evidence that the defendant was the intended target, however no criminal charges were brought due to lack of evidence from a community terrified of reprisals from the gangs.

Using only evidence from police and housing staff, Anthony Collins Solicitors commenced legal action against the 18 year old. In November 2007 an emergency without-notice Injunction and Power of Arrest was obtained.

Following a number of breaches of the Order, he was arrested and remanded in custody until the full Injunction and Committal hearing. In the Liverpool County Court an Injunction Order, with a Power of Arrest attached, was agreed to in the same terms for 18 months. At the trial the defendant also admitted two breaches of the Order and was sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment for each breach to run consecutively. This term was to be suspended for 18 months.

This case shows what can be achieved through County Court injunctions where a lower standard of proof is required than for criminal matters.

Eviction for harassing neighbour Homes in Havering have successfully evicted a tenant in an extreme case of anti-social behaviour.

For over 16 months, the tenant subjected his neighbour to abuse and harassment that was aimed at upsetting her enough to convince her to move out. The victim has moderate learning difficulties and lived in constant fear of the man as he targeted her and her family.

The behaviour included, loud music, constantly banging on his floor and doors.

Intimidating her and her family with loud foul language, including references to the fact that he knew the authorities were working to try and stop his actions in order to protect her.

The victim’s family worked closely with staff from the Homes in Havering ASB team to put a stop to the man’s behaviour. This included keeping a diary of his threatening behaviour, and making sure the Neighbourhood Wardens and local Safer Neighbourhood Teams were kept aware of the situation.

ASB manager, Karen Reed said,“This tenant directed his actions against a vulnerable woman and her family. We were determined to stop his behaviour before she was driven from her home. We worked closely with the family to make sure that the victim was kept as safe as possible and protected from the man’s behaviour.”

23

Sponsor & Members News

New game packs a serious message

and that they wouldn’t change their perceptions easily.

They also knew that traditional training and workshops didn’t interest the majority of the young people. They

An innovative mobile phone game that helps young

therefore looked for a more up-to-date, accessible and

people think about the challenges of independent living

engaging way to deliver a very serious message.

has just been launched. “InLiving” – the first game of its

Most young people have mobile phones and most are

kind in the country – is a joint project between Kirklees

very familiar with computer and other electronic games,

Neighbourhood Housing and Huddersfield-

so this was thought to be an excellent way to get

based company, Creative North.

information out to the target audience.

Young people often have a difficult time

Similar to the “SIMS” computer game, InLiving

when they move into their first home on

involves players creating their own characters

their own. Many abandon their tenancies

and navigating through a variety of locations

because they can’t cope with the

and situations associated with independent

challenges of independent living.

living.

To tackle this problem, KNH’s Young

The game will be free to all young people on

People’s Team have developed new ways to help

the housing register in Kirklees and will also be

these vulnerable tenants have more successful tenancies.

distributed via partner agencies, local colleges, and

In particular by providing information in innovative

Kirklees Council’s

formats about the responsibilities of independent living.

Leaving Care and Youth

To find out more

The team knew that most young people had an

Offending Teams.

Penny Allison 01484 416440. penny.allison@knh.org.uk

Editorial services, design and artwork by Glenn Marketing 0121 555 7310

unrealistic idea of what it was like to live independently

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