ao link
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In

You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles

The recent spate of knife crime shows the importance of tackling anti-social behaviour

The rise of knife crime demonstrates the importance of getting it right when tackling anti-social behaviour, writes Rebecca Bryant

Linked InTwitterFacebookeCard
Sharelines

The rise of knife crime demonstrates the importance of getting it right when tackling anti-social behaviour, writes Rebecca Bryant of Resolve #ukhousing @resolveasb

Early intervention to stamp out instances of anti-social behaviour before tragedy hits is the key role of a social landlord, writes Rebecca Bryant of Resolve #ukhousing @resolveasb

The tragic cases of knife crime that have played out in the media over recent months have thrown a fresh spotlight on the debate around the role housing providers have in dealing with anti-social behaviour.

Work in this area has always been a vital part of a landlord’s role.

While a multiagency approach is key to tackling a multifaceted problem, especially where housing providers report that they are “the last service standing” in some communities, there can remain unclear lines around where the role of the housing provider starts and ends.

A central focus of the Social Housing Green Paper, which highlighted concerns from tenants in this area, was a call for more effective and sustainable solutions from housing providers to tackling anti-social behaviour and promoting community safety as part of the ‘new deal’ between tenants and landlords.

No anti-social behaviour complained of can ever be deemed as ‘low level’.


READ MORE

Housing associations take on knife crimeHousing associations take on knife crime
New ASB guidance - but will there be new eviction powers?New ASB guidance - but will there be new eviction powers?
The role of housing associations in tackling ASB is more important than everThe role of housing associations in tackling ASB is more important than ever

All anti-social behaviour can have a serious impact on the quality of life of an individual and wider community.

That said, early intervention has significant success. This is where landlords can have the biggest impact.

Stamping out the issue early, long before heartbreaking cases play out on our TV screens.

The vast majority of complaints of anti-social behaviour – around 75% nationally – are resolved at the first intervention.

Mediation, restorative justice, acceptable behaviour agreements, good neighbour agreements all engage with both parties in the complaint and develop a level of understanding of the impact of the behaviour on the victim.

There are tools at our disposal. Ensuring they are used in a timely manner is our challenge.

By intervening early, landlords can support individuals to ‘self-help’ and build stronger communities.

The call for a specific performance indicator to help tackle anti-social behaviour is part of a wider push in the Social Housing Green Paper towards the professionalisation of housing management services more broadly.

It is a journey that many landlords have already started on.

We must remember that measuring performance in relation to anti-social behaviour and community safety is not just about numbers.

A good measure is how many complaints are reopened – which shows how successful the case strategy was and how successful the intervention was

Counting the number of cases opened, actions taken or cases closed does not solely demonstrate whether an organisation is successful in resolving complaints or stopping behaviour.

A good measure is how many complaints are reopened – which shows how successful the case strategy was and how successful the intervention was. This is also good for training staff.

Within housing management, community safety and anti-social behaviour are often the most complex issues that an officer will deal with.

Cases can range from neighbour disputes over garden fences to much more serious complaints of hate crime, domestic abuse and serious criminality. It is common for issues around mental health or drug and alcohol addiction to be involved.

Officers require an incredibly broad skill set. They need to have a significant understanding of legal and court proceedings, preparing DIY injunctions without legal support and giving evidence to represent their organisations and victims.

Understanding and measuring risk is key to the role, along with being able to develop a multiagency support package to work with victims and alleged perpetrators.

Most partners working to tackle anti-social behaviour and support communities to feel safer – such as social workers, mental health workers and police colleagues – have specific qualifications.

Understanding and measuring risk is key to the role, along with being able to develop a multiagency support package to work with victims and alleged perpetrators

That has been Resolve’s focus in recent years, with our BTEC qualifications and apprenticeship programmes for anti-social behaviour workers.

Being qualified gives an officer more gravitas in a community, partnership and court setting.

The steer from government is clear, and the continued professionalisation of anti-social behaviour practice via qualifications, shared learning and experience ensures that our communities are provided with a service which not only supports them but can significantly improve their quality of life.

Rebecca Bryant, chief executive, Resolve

Linked InTwitterFacebookeCard
Add New Comment
You must be logged in to comment.