Taking a stance on anti-social behaviour
Western Mail: 28 January 2006
The Prime Minister has launched a new action plan designed to tackle the low-level anti-social behaviour that blights local communities. This is with the overriding aim of creating an environment where society works together to achieve a sense of mutual respect.
At Charter Housing, a Gwent-based housing association, our approach to anti-social behaviour is very much in line with Government thinking. We have decided to work together with local authorities, the police and the local community, and together we have started to make real progress in the battle against anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhoods. By embracing this new stance, we hope we are making a real and positive difference to people's lives.
Our Resolve Team was set up in October 2003. When we get a complaint, our initial emphasis is on identifying the underlying problems involved in any neighbourhood dispute, and we are able to offer support and a choice of solutions that will help resolve the situation.
Since we set up the team, we have developed our expertise, and we are learning all the time. We are getting better at responding to neighbour nuisance or anti-social behaviour, but we know we're still not perfect and that there is more to do.
To date, though we've been successful in getting 37 injunctions or undertakings to court, without the use of solicitors or barristers, and have won every case.
We got what we believe to be the first Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) in Wales for a housing association. We have had to evict two households for anti-social behaviour, but for us that is very much a last resort, and we're continually trying to improve our early response to complaints of ASB to 'nip problems in the bud' and to prevent a problem escalating to the point where eviction becomes necessary.
It's important to point out that without the support of the people affected by the problem, successful prosecutions would have been far more difficult, and in some cases impossible, to achieve. We have been very fortunate to have so many people prepared to work in partnership with our Resolve Team in taking a stance against neighbour nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
However, our work is not just about injunctions or court cases. The provision of support to witnesses is at the forefront of what we do, because as well as working with those affected by anti-social behaviour, the Resolve team also provides an outreach support worker who works with people causing anti-social behaviour.
Sometimes these people can't appreciate the impact on others of what they're doing, and they may need support to be able to change. We put individuals in touch with organisations who can help them to change their ways. We are mindful of the fact there needs to be a delicate balance between the support provided to the perpetrator and those that are suffering the consequences of anti-social behaviour.
We understand the importance of getting involved early on. However, some things that people label anti-social behaviour are often more to do with tolerance. For example, we wouldn't be able to do anything if we received a call from a resident complaining about children simply playing in the street.
Although some may consider this a nuisance, it depends upon whether those children are causing real problems in terms of damage or noise to someone else. If they are just playing, what's wrong with that?
The success of our efforts hasn't come over night and we have more to do, but through the dedication and commitment of everyone involved, results are being achieved.
Making a positive difference is what we're all about. The Government has set the agenda and can provide the necessary powers - it is down to organisations such as ours, working with authorities and the local communities, to make respect a reality.
John Priday is nuisance prevention team manager with Charter Housing Association. Its nuisance prevention team is hosting a conference looking at how anti-social behaviour is being tackled on Monday at the Best Western Parkway Hotel, Cwmbran. Guest speakers including Edwina Hart Assembly Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration and Bill Pitt, one of the UK's leading experts on anti-social behaviour.
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