Landlords warn making communities tackle ASB could lead to reprisals
Justice panels ‘will put people at risk’
Government plans to hand communities responsibility for tackling anti-social behaviour put some individuals in danger of reprisal attacks, social landlords have warned.
Fifteen landlords in the north of England, which manage 170,000 homes between them, have teamed up to write to the Home Office about plans announced by home secretary Theresa May last month.
The report flagged up cases in which gangs had intimidated residents and ASB problems had only been reduced because of targeted action by landlords.
The landlords, part of the Airport Group of stock transfer housing associations, also said there were ‘obvious dangers in communities having unfettered ability to target those who are different - for example, the vulnerable and mentally ill, racial and sexual minorities’.
The Home Office is expected to launch a consultation this month, after Ms May suggested anti-social behaviour orders could be scrapped and communities given more power to tackle ASB themselves.
Ms May proposed to establish Neighbourhood Justice Panels, where an offender will explain their actions to their victim in front of a panel of community volunteers.
In a preliminary response to the proposed changes, the group welcomed some simplification of the remedies, but warned that the ASBO is the most appropriate tool to address serious anti-social behaviour in some cases. They have called for Ms May to extend powers such as house closure orders to social landlords, and increase funding for Family Intervention Projects.
Ian Munro, group chief executive of New Charter Housing Trust, said: ‘Some offenders are well-known to police forces for multiple criminality, including use of violence. As landlords actively tackling these problems, we find reluctance of neighbours to intervene or give evidence because they are frightened of reprisals. Using our own staff or other professionals is often the only way we can restore peace to neighbourhoods.’
Geraldine Howley, group chief executive of Bradford-based Incommunities, said the type of community panels suggested ‘might struggle to deal with serious problems in a fair and effective way’.
She added that ‘there are situations which are too serious for mediation’.
Eamon Lynch, policy advisor at the social landlords crime and nuisance group, said: ‘A number of landlords have found the orders very useful and are worried there would be a potential gap in the powers available for them.’
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Readers' comments (3)
kass | 03/09/2010 11:27 am
This iniative would have only worked if we had a police force which could guarantee protection to citizens who stand up against crime and antisocial abuse.
I have been told several times by Lambeth police that are not going to safeguard or protect you if you try to stand up for your rights and report antisocial behaviour.
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jsk1 | 03/09/2010 10:37 pm
Kass - the police can't guarentee protection to everyone who stands up to crime and ASB. The only way that would happen is if everyone who reported a crime was then placed into witness protection which is obviously not possible. People is commit crime or ASB need to take responsibility for their actions. Equally, the only way to deal with crime is for people to stand up for themselves and take responsibility for reporting crime. However, I do not agree with perpetrators having to explain themselves to volunteers. I assume that most of these volunteers would probably resemble a tenants and residents association, who are usually of a certain age group or ethnic origin. I would say lets leave it to the professionals eh...
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Jean Gleadall | 05/09/2010 8:54 pm
ASBO's are not worth the paper they are written on.
Community Service doesn't work
Probation Service is a failure. There are more re-offenders each year
Severe Boot style camps for the serious offender. We have many service men coming home give them a job monitoring schools
and straightening the yobs out.
Pussy footing as Labour has done for years where the victim is much less important than the criminal. Come on Home Secretary do what the last 5 Home Secretaries have failed to do
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