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Rebecca Bryant

Rebecca Bryant is chief executive of Resolve

What ASB Awareness Week aims to achieve – and why it is important for all social landlords

Comment19.07.21by Rebecca Bryant

As the first ASB Awareness Week kicks off, research reveals that 59% of people who reported anti-social behaviour were dissatisfied with how it was handled. Rebecca Bryant explores what role social landlords have in tackling this issue

Picture: Getty

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ASB Awareness Week shows the sector is united in the fight against anti-social behaviour, says @RBryantOBE, chief executive of @resolveasb #UKhousing

“Of those who did report an [anti-social behaviour] issue to their landlord or housing association, 22% were satisfied with the way their issue was handled while 59% were dissatisfied,” says @RBryantOBE, chief executive of @resolveasb #UKhousing

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a rising scourge in our communities, and one that threatens to drive people apart if not tackled.

That’s why the first ever ASB Awareness Week being launched this week (19-25 July) is so important.

Let us make no mistake. ASB can make people’s lives miserable. It can make them want to move home or leave their local area altogether.

It prevents people from visiting their local shops, it keeps them from friends and family.

Our latest research shows that, alarmingly, people think ASB is getting worse where they live and yet 56% of people who are a victim or a witness of it do not report it to anyone.

ASB is a priority for tenants – so it should be high on the agenda for landlords and the government in 2021

From the frontline – ASB manager Sarah Gee

The street art helping to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour

Landlords have powers and a responsibility to help tackle ASB and the causes of ASB.

But clearly they cannot act if they are not clear on the scale of the issue.

Better communication between landlords and their tenants is the starting block for this race – a race we must all win.

It is time to take back our communities and work together to make them safe for everyone. We want ASB Awareness Week to be the catalyst for change we need.

What is the problem?

Overall 12% of adults surveyed said they had been a victim of ASB in the past three years.

And 45% said it is a problem where they live, while 35% said it has increased in the past three years.

Behaviour causing concerns for tenants includes vandalism, criminal damage and graffiti, as well as drug use, knife crime and young people gathering in large groups.

“Of those who did report an issue to their landlord or housing association, 22% were satisfied with the way their issue was handled while 59% were dissatisfied”

A total of 83% of people who report having been a victim of ASB said more needs to be done to tackle it and 76% of people who have witnessed ASB said more needs to be done.

Of those who did report an issue to their landlord or housing association, 22% were satisfied with the way their issue was handled while 59% were dissatisfied.

The government’s recent Social Housing White Paper mentioned ASB no fewer than 26 times and it is clear that landlords will have a major role in addressing the matter in communities.

Improving satisfaction rate will be a substantial, and necessary, step.

What can be done?

Housing associations have some powers to help tackle ASB – but the latest report from the Civil Justice Council confirms that these powers are not being used to their potential.

There is great work being done by landlords already, but are we being clear enough with our communications?

Do tenants understand that the role of landlords and housing associations is to stop ASB, not force an eviction – which is often the desired outcome of a victim?

“We believe that individuals who exhibit ASB should have the opportunity to take responsibility for and repair the damage they have done, or face the consequences”

Early, frank conversations are so important and tenants must know that their voices are being heard.

Most importantly of all, victims should know who to report to.

We believe that individuals who exhibit ASB should have the opportunity to take responsibility for and repair the damage they have done, or face the consequences.

Resolve is calling for a clear and sustained focus from government and regulators to develop and deliver effective, victim-centred strategies to tackle ASB and reduce the harm it causes.

We need co-ordinated action by local authorities, police, housing providers and their partners to encourage residents to report ASB and to develop a consistent level of response.

There should be a transparent investigation process and clear outcomes.

Together we can tackle this and make our homes and communities safe, secure and peaceful for all who live in them.

Rebecca Bryant, chief executive, Resolve