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Latest News Archive
Walsall Housing Group receives ASB accreditation
20th of January 2012
Walsall Housing Group has become the first UK landlord to achieve accreditation against the new Respect ASB charter which shapes the sector’s approach to ASB.
The award recognises WHG’s innovative and comprehensive approach to dealing with anti-social behaviour, led by its expert Community Safety Team.
The accreditation scheme is a partnership between HouseMark and the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group.
To read the full story, please click here
Police and Fire Reform Bill (Scotland)
20th of January 2012
The Justice Secretary for Scotland, Kenny MacAskill, says that single fire and police sevices for Scotland will put them at the "heart of communities."
Mr MacAskill was introducing the Police and Fire Reform Bill which will see Scotland's eight police forces and eight fire services merged into two single national bodies.
Critics of the move are concerned about how the reforms will affect local police accountability.
To find out more, please click here
Family intervention in action in the South West
19th of January 2012
The Communities Secretary and the head of the Troubled Families Team visited two Family Intervention Projects in South West England today. They toured the Edge of Care Family Intervention Project in Torbay and the Green Ark Children's Centre in Plymouth meeting both key workers and families. The two centres were praised as excellent examples of early-intervention work aiming to tackle troubled families.
The work being done in Plymouth and Torbay will help inform the work of the Troubled Families Team as they draw up plans to work with other councils across the country.
To read the full story, please click here
Localism Act powers come into effect
18th of January 2012
Two months on from the Localism Act receiving Royal Assent, a commencement order has officially brought into effect much of this flagship legislation, including:
- Increased accountability on local pay: councils are now required to publish their pay policies and put the policies that underpin senior pay packets to a full council vote opening up how public money is being spent in the area to local people.
- Preparations for HomeSwap Direct: the national home swap scheme that will take full effect in April 2012, enabling people to swap their social home more easily, for example because they wish to move jobs.
- Reform of social housing regulation: initial legislative preparations for the formal implementation of changes due on 1 April 2012, which will give social landlords greater freedom to meet local needs and tenants stronger tools to hold landlords to account.
- Changes to the way complaints are managed will follow in 2013.
- Freeing Cities: gives the means to transfer of powers from central Government and non-departmental public bodies to local authorities for improved accountability and economic growth.
- New planning enforcement rules: a first step in the process to give councils the ability to take action against people who deliberately conceal unauthorised development in preparation for commencement of the substantive provisions in April 2012.
For the full story, please click here
Dealing with the Problems of Late Night Drinking: a consultation
17th of January 2012
A consultation on the secondary legislation for the late-night levy and early morning restriction orders has been launched today.
The late-night levy and early morning restriction orders (EMROs) are two alcohol measures in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The extension of EMROs will allow local councils to restrict the sale of alcohol in their local area flexibly between 12am and 6am. This is a tool that licensing authorities can use to prevent problems in the night-time economy in either a part or the whole of their area.
The late night levy will fulfil our commitment to allow councils to levy a charge from those selling alcohol late at night in their area to help contribute towards high policing costs in the late-night economy. Again, it can be applied flexibly between 12am and 6am. These measures will empower local communities to act to achieve a more viable night-time economy.
The 'Dealing with the Problems of Late Night Drinking' consultation is an opportunity for licensing authorities, the licensed trade and its representatives, police officers and the public to share their views on the details of the regulations that will implement these policies. In particular, it asks for views on what categories of premises should benefit from exemptions and reductions under the measures, with the intention to avoid penalising premises that are not part of the wider late night economy.
Copies of the consultation are available from the Home Office website
Street League scores huge success
17th of January 2012
Street League, the chosen partner of staff at 10 Downing Street, is celebrating a hugely successful first year.
Street League, whose Ambassador is Robin van Persie, gives young people the confidence and discipline to work hard and make the most of their lives.
To read the full story and find out more about Street League, please click here
London Mayor receives police and crime commissioner powers
16th of January 2012
Police and crime commissioner powers have been transferred to the Mayor of London.
These powers mean the Metropolitan Police are now directly accountable to the mayor who will now determine local policing priorities in consultation with the public.
The new powers have been transferred to the mayor ahead of elections for 41 police and crime commissioners in England and Wales on 15 November 2012.
To read the full story, please click here
N Ireland - Communities may be able to give crime impact statements
13th of January 2012
Communities in Northern Ireland which have been plagued by crime could have the chance to tell a court about the impact on their lives.
To read the full BBC story please click here
Scotland - 67 'dog asbos' issued to owners
11th of January 2012
Since coming into force in February , the Control of Dogs Act has seen 693 investigations into dangerous dogs and resulted in 67 Dog Control Notices being served. Owners who fail to comply with the notices can be forced to keep their pet on a lead at all times, have it neutered, attend special training courses, or face a fine of up to £1,000.
To read the full press report please click here
To find out more about the Control of Dogs Act (Scotland) please click here
'Noisy neighbour stabbed to death'
11th of January 2012
A woman was stabbed to death by a neighbour just weeks before she was due to be evicted over parties and loud music.
To read the full report from the BBC please click here
Dial 101 for non-emergencies
10th of January 2012
101 – the single police non-emergency number has been rolled out to police forces across England and Wales.
101 is an easy to remember number which can be used to contact local police about crimes or concerns that do not need an emergency response.
At 15p per call from both mobile phones and landlines, no matter how long the call lasts or what time of day, many members of the public will be spared the cost of traditional 0845 numbers previously used by many forces which can cost up to 40p per minute.
The number to call for emergencies – immediate threat to life or property, or a crime in progress – remains 999.
It is hoped 101 will also ease pressures on the emergency number and ensure services reach those in immediate need.
For more information, please click here
Housing policy in Wales
10th of January 2012
The Minister for Housing in the Welsh Government has published his vision for the future of housing in Wales and invited responses.
For a copy of the document, click here.
Regulation of social landlords in Wales
10th of January 2012
On 02 December 2011, the new Regulatory Framework for housing associations registered in Wales came into force. The scheme of regulation has statutory force under the Housing Act 1996 which now gives regulatory power to Welsh Ministers.
For a copy of the new framework document, click here.
Allocation of accommodation: Guidance for local housing authorities in England - Consultation
5th of January 2012
The Government is consulting on new draft statutory guidance on social housing allocations for local authorities in England. The new guidance is intended to assist authorities to take advantage of the provisions in the Localism Act 2011 which give back to local authorities the freedom to manage their own waiting lists, and make it easier for them to move existing social tenants to more suitable accommodation. It also encourages authorities to make use of the existing flexibilities within the allocation legislation to ensure that social homes go to people who need and deserve them the most.
The consultation closes 30 March 2012
To find out more, download a copy of the consultation and/or to respond to the consultation, please click here
Northern Ireland - Help To Domestic Violence Victims
3rd of January 2012
A scheme allowing victims of domestic violence to access legal aid quickly will be made permanent, the N Ireland Justice Minister has confirmed. Interim arrangements were put in place last year which made it easier for the victims of domestic violence to go to court and obtain Non-Molestation Orders.
Justice Minister David Ford has reviewed the impact of the interim arrangements and has instructed that from the beginning of the New Year, they will operate on a permanent basis. He said: “Under the new arrangements, over 100 victims of domestic violence who would have previously found it difficult to apply for Non-Molestation Orders, have been able to get the protection from the courts they need for themselves and their families. Making the changes to allow more people to access legal aid was a reasonably straight forward step to take, but the impact it has made to the individuals accessing the scheme has been significant. Over the past year I have met with many organisations that support victims of domestic violence and all have lobbied for a continuation of the arrangements. I know that they will welcome this announcement.”
Injunctions to prevent gang-related violence
3rd of January 2012
The scope of the county court to grant injunctions to prevent gang-related violence will be extended to cover 14-18 year old defendants from 09 January 2012.
The Home Secretary laid the necessary Statutory Guidance in Parliament on 19 December 2011.
For more information please click here
Scotland - Free childcare for vulnerable children
21st of December 2011
Early learning and childcare opportunities for vulnerable two year olds will be expanded following an investment of 1.5 million a year over the next three years from the Scottish Government. The funding will be made available to local authorities from April 2012.
The Scottish Government will continue working with the newly established Early Year's Task Force - which comprises key influencers and champions of the early years from across civic Scotland - to drive forward activity to support vulnerable children in their earliest years.
To read the full story, please click here
Tackling troubled families
15th of December 2011
Plans to radically transform the lives of the country's most troubled families were today announced by the Prime Minister David Cameron and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.
Almost £450 million has been made available in a new, determined, cross-government drive to turn around the lives of 120,000 of some of the country's most troubled families by the end of this Parliament.
New figures show that troubled families cost the tax payer an estimated £9 billion per year, equivalent to £75,000 per family.
The £450 million means the Government will offer up to 40 per cent of the cost of dealing with these families to local authorities - but on a payment-by-results basis when they and their partners achieve success with families.
To read the full story, please click here
Home secretary outlines plans for new police professional body
15th of December 2011
A new police professional body that supports police officers at all ranks and civilian policing professionals will be set up next year, Home Secretary Theresa May announced today.
The police professional body (PPB) will focus on policing in England and Wales but will also work closely with forces in Scotland and Northern Ireland particularly on cross-border issues.
To read the full story, please click here
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR LEGISLATION
14th of December 2011
WCH has further pushed the boundaries of ASB legislation by securing an ASBI in highly original circumstances.
SLCNG member and ASB Accredited Worcester Community Housing (WCH) obtained a two-year injunction with power of arrest against a serial squatter.
Children's centres need help with local data to reach families most in need
12th of December 2011
A new report calls on local authorities to share deatiled data to target services on the neediest families.
The report was commissioned by the Local Government Association in light of the coalition's aim to make children’s centres focus "much more effectively on those families who need them the most".
To read the report, please click here
Private tenant given ASBO for drugs and prostitution nuisance
12th of December 2011
A private tenant who used her home for drugs and prostitution has been given an antisocial behaviour order covering the whole of Solihull.
The court heard that since July 2011, neighbours had suffered from excessive noise, witnessed large numbers of people visiting the property to buy and use drugs, as well as to visit the householder, who was working as a prostitute.
The order remains in force until 1 December 2013.
To read more from Solihull Community Housing, please click here
First transgender equality plan
8th of December 2011
Tougher sentences for hate crimes, support for transgender pupils in schools, and tailored recruitment advice for businesses are just some of the actions in the first transgender equality plan launched by the government today.
Statistics show that 70 per cent of children who are uncertain about their gender are subject to bullying, 88 per cent of transgender employees experience discrimination or harassment in their workplace and a recent rise in hate crime against transgender people of 14 per cent.
To download the Advancing Gender Equality: A Plan for Action please click here
8th of December 2011
A firm of property agents that conducted a concerted campaign of harassment against some tenants and tried to carry out an illegal eviction has been called to account following an investigation by housing officials in Wands worth.
Wimbledon-based Spudnic Ltd were ordered to pay £20,561 in fines and prosecution costs after the council took it to court when it uncovered a prolonged campaign of dirty tricks it had used to try and hound the tenants out of the property.
To read the full story please click here
Council wins possession orders on tenants who grew cannabis
8th of December 2011
Two Sheffield council tenants who were caught by police growing cannabis face losing their homes.
Sheffield City Council applied for a possession order and the Judge decided that there had been a breach of tenancy and made an immediate possession order. He also awarded the Council its legal costs.
To find out more, please click here
David Askew was unlawfully killed
7th of December 2011
A man with learning disabilities who was subjected to 30 years of torment was unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled.
David Askew, 64, was found dead outside his house in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, in March 2010.
A pathologist told the inquest an altercation with youths 10 minutes before he collapsed had been a factor in his death.
Ruling that Mr Askew was unlawfully killed, South Manchester coroner John Pollard said there was a "staggering degree of inertia and complacency" shown by police, the council and housing associations in dealing with the anti-social behaviour towards Mr Askew.
To read the full report from the BBC please click here
N Ireland - further change necessary to address the needs of victims and witnesses
7th of December 2011
Changing the ethos of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland so that it becomes more service centred in how it engages with victims and witnesses would be a major step forward in reducing continuing levels of dissatisfaction.
This is the thrust of an inspection report published today and a follow up to one produced in 2005.
To find out more, please click here
Regulation of Social Landlords in Wales
6th of December 2011
New arrangements for the regulation of social landlords in Wales came into force on 2 December 2011. To see the commencement order please click here.
The Effectiveness of Enforcement on Behaviour Change
2nd of December 2011
A new report looks at how fixed penalty notices can be used to bring about positive environmental behaviour.
Keep Britain Tidy has carried out research with the general public, enviro-crime offenders and local authority enforcement officers to investigate how effective fixed penalty notices (FPNs) are as a tool for encouraging people to adopt more positive environmental behaviours.
The research found that issuing fixed penalty notices is not a shortcut to happier communities. Indeed, in areas where fixed penalty notices are more frequently issued, satisfaction with levels of cleanliness is often low.
75% of the general public are aware that they can be issued with a fixed penalty notice for committing an environmental offence. But attitudes to enforcement are greatly shaped by the degree to which an individual sees them as a threat – and many do not think it is likely they will be fined for environmental offences.
The full report The Effectiveness of Enforcement on Behaviour Change is available on the Keep Britain Tidy website.
'Growing Together' - free training places for tenants
2nd of December 2011
Growing Together is a national tenant training programme offering free training places for social tenants on co-regulation and scrutiny. The courses are part of the Tenant Empowerment Programme and are being run by TPAS.
Upcoming dates for training events are:
12 December London
19 January Birmingham
23 January Southampton
31 January Manchester
For more details call TPAS on 0161 868 3520, email training@tpas.org.uk or visit the website www.growingtogethertraining.org
Eric Pickles responds on behalf of HM Government to the interim 'riots' report
29th of November 2011
Responding to report from the Independent Riots Victims and Communities Panel, the Secretary of State said “We welcome the interim report from the Independent Riots Victims and Communities Panel into the serious events of last summer and will be studying its findings carefully.
"The riots which took place in our towns and cities in August were shocking acts of criminality which ruined businesses, brought destruction to our streets, and made people feel unsafe in their own homes. But we also saw the law abiding majority reclaiming the streets by protecting friends and neighbours, and helping with the recovery.”
To read more, please click here
Metal theft taskforce
29th of November 2011
A new national metal theft taskforce is to be set up following a £5million boost from the Treasury.
The new multi-agency taskforce, led by the British Transport Police, will target both metal thieves and scrap metal dealers who trade in stolen goods and fuel the demand.
To read the full story, please click here
Double Jeopardy reforms for Scotland
28th of November 2011
Key changes to a centuries old principle of Scots law which prevents a person being tried twice for the same offence come into force today.
Following a consultation last year, formal steps were taken by Ministers to make the legislative changes required and a Bill was passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament earlier this year.
The rule will not be removed - double jeopardy is a fundamental principle of Scots law which provides essential protection against the state repeatedly pursuing an individual for the same act. However, from today, exceptions will now apply.
To read the full story please click here
Scotland - forced marriage law introduced
28th of November 2011
Victims of forced marriage in Scotland will benefit from greater protection with new legislation being introduced today.
Scottish courts now have the power to issue Forced Marriage Protection Orders, which offer increased protection for both men and women who are affected by forced marriage.
The legislation is the first in the UK to make it a criminal offence to breach an Order, leading to a two year prison sentence, a fine, or both.
To read the full story, please click here
Violence against women and girls
25th of November 2011
The government has published a review of the progress made to implement the action plan aimed at tackling violence against women and girls.
Alongside the review, the violence against women and girls newsletter for Winter 2011, including all the latest campaign information, has also been published.
Castle Vale new car cruising injunction granted
24th of November 2011
An injunction to help stop car cruises has been extended to another part of Birmingham.
West Midlands Police say 112 drivers have been handed banning orders since the legal measure was first introduced in September 2010.
The extension operates within the boundaries of Tyburn Road, Washwood Heath Road and Coleshill Road and prevents drivers from speeding, driving in convoy, racing other vehicles and performing stunts.
It also covers anti-social behaviour such as dropping litter, swearing and intimidating others.
To find out more, please click here
PCCs will impact on YOTs and funding streams
21st of November 2011
The creation of police and crime commissioner posts across England and Wales next year will have a considerable impact on youth offending teams and their funding streams, the Youth Justice Board has warned.
To read the full story from CYP, please click here
Local reoffending information published
21st of November 2011
Easy to use online maps that give a local breakdown of reoffending have been published for the first time by the Ministry of Justice.
People can now go online to find out the sentences handed down by local courts, check the rate offenders have committed further crimes in their area, and make comparisons with national trends.
The information for England and Wales is all now available on the new 'Making Sense of Criminal Justice' website. This includes clear information on reoffending rates for individual prisons and the number and type of sentences handed down for different offences in courts within each police force area.
Blueprint to reform criminal law in Scotland
17th of November 2011
A major review which offers a considered examination on the future of Scots law and practice following the UK Supreme Court's Cadder ruling last year and the impact of recent legislation on criminal procedure was published today.
The report by High Court Judge Lord Carloway sets the scene for reform of the criminal justice system. Key recommendations include:
• The right to legal advice when taken into custody
• Limit the period of arrest before charge to 12 hours
• Particular protection and rights for children and vulnerable adults
• Greater powers for police to conduct structured investigations
• Less restrictive rules around evidence and a removal of the need for corroboration
• Adjustments to the relationship between the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission and the High Court
To find out more, please click here
Anti-social behaviour is public's top concern
17th of November 2011
Tackling anti-social behaviour should be the top priority for new directly-elected police and crime commissioners, according to a survey carried out for the LGA one year ahead of elections being held across England and Wales.
The poll found that 71 per cent of respondents thought clamping down on anti-social behaviour should be one of the top three priorities for new police commissioners when they take office in November 2012.
More than one in three people (43 per cent) said that gun and knife crime should be one of the first concerns of new police chiefs, while 36 per cent said property crime.
For more information please click here
SLCNG responds to 'Mandatory Power' consultation
4th of November 2011
The SLCNG has called on government to avoid negative stereotyping of social housing and to speak up for the pro social majority of citizens that live in it.
The comments come in the Group’s response to the Mandatory Power for ASB’ consultation which closes next Monday
The SLCNG says that the proposals have the potential to speed up the eviction process in a limited number of circumstances and recommends government to:
• continue to work with other government departments, the courts services and other relevant bodies to reduce or remove delays in the justice system that will continue to be experienced by cases to which these proposals will not apply;
• consider the development and distribution of detailed guidance on the appropriate and most effective use of these powers; and
• counsel and exercise caution in communicating further developments to ensure clarity of purpose and to safeguard against exciting expectations that will be impossible to meet (i.e. the proposals should improve matters in a number of particular circumstances but are not a panacea for all issues of concern)
A copy of the SLCNG’s consultation response is available in the ‘library’ in the members’ area
SLCNG Awards Winners 2011
3rd of November 2011
The winners of the Delivering Results Awards for 2011 were unveiled in front of an audience of over 300 at the SLCNG national ASB conference held in Solihull over the last 2 days.
Facing up to a new reality for tackling ASB
2nd of November 2011
This briefing was released at our Annual ASB Conference and Exhibition in Solihull on Tuesday 02 November 2011. It is based on the inputs, opinions and experiences of SLCNG members and contains a synopsis of the key points which we will be seeking to make on behalf of social landlords to others, including government departments, involved in ASB.
Awards Finalist's Announced
1st of November 2011
FINALISTS ANNOUCED
Launched in 2008, the SLCNG Awards are now well established and highly valued by social landlords and their partners.
The 2011 awards programme once again attracted a high volume of high quality nominations across all four categories and the SLCNG is pleased to unveil the finalists:
The Team Award – Sponsored by EBS-ReAct
Allerdale Family Intervention Project, Derwent & Solway Housing Association
Safer Estates Team, North Tyneside Homes
CCTV & Concierge Service (joint working with ASB Officers and Sandwell Police) Sandwell Homes
shortlisted entries commended by the judging panel were:
Hilldene/Farnham Neighbourhood Planning - Homes in Havering
Vale Watch - Castle Vale Community Housing Association
The Residents Award Sponsored by GHA
Claire O’Hanrahan & Leon Ballin, Sheffield Homes
Joyce McGillivray & Katie Davies, Sutton Housing Partnership
Daniel Lusardi & Rhys Farthing, Homes for Islington
shortlisted entries commended by the judging panel were:
Customer Domestic Abuse Support Group - Walsall Housing Group
David Gillings - Liverpool Mutual Homes
The Best Practice Award Sponsored by HouseMark
Victims Champion Project, Contour Homes Ltd
ROOTS Project Team, New Charter Housing Trust Group
Proactive Approach to Domestic Abuse Campaigns, Gentoo Group
shortlisted entries commended by the judging panel were:
My Fairfield - High Peak Community Housing
St Johns the Safe Estate Project - Elmbridge Housing Trust
Stockton ASB Standard & Respect Service Improvement Group - Tristar Homes Ltd
The Tim Winter Award Sponsored by SLCNG
James Power, Brent Housing Partnership
Peter Rowbottom, North Tyneside Council
Linda Alcock, New Progress Housing Association
shortlisted entries commended by the judging panel were:
Vishal Mall - Knightstone Housing Association
Nicola Bryant - Dacorum Borough Council
John Birch - Derby Homes
The winners will be announced at the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group Annual Conference Dinner on the 1st November 2011 at the St Johns Hotel, Solihull, Birmingham.
All of the finalists and commended entries will be invited on to the stage during the awards presentation to have their work recognised.
The full conference takes place over two days 1st & 2nd November 2011 www.slcngconference.com
Acis unveils cracking youth project
4th of October 2011
Firecracker, an innovative diversionary project for young people, is being launched for a second year in the run up to bonfire night.
Firecracker tackles the issues of increased crime and anti-social behaviour during this period by engaging with youngsters. It is headed up by
Gainsborough based housing association Acis Group
To find out more please click here
Grant Shapps to speak at SLCNG Conference
4th of October 2011
Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, has confirmed to deliver the keynote address at the SLCNG Anti-Social Behaviour Conference and Exhibition on 01 November - for further information and to book click here.
Friday scheme to tackle ASB in Penkridge
30th of September 2011
More than 90 young people are getting fit on a Friday thanks to support provided by South Staffordshire Housing Association.
The scheme helps to reduce ASB by offering a safe place for youngsters to socialise, as well as improving their fitness and health.
To find out more please click here
Welsh Government Reiterates Commitment to Safer Communities
21st of September 2011
The Welsh Government has reiterated its commitment to making communities safer and has announced that it is to fund an additional 500 Community Support Officers.
To read the full story, please click here
New ASB Minister at the Home Office
16th of September 2011
Baroness Browning is replaced by Lord Henley as minister for crime prevention and anti-social behaviour reduction.
Please click here to read the full story
Misconduct not proven for Fiona Pilkington officers
16th of September 2011
Four Leicestershire police officers have been cleared of misconduct after Fiona Pilkington killed herself and her daughter Francecca Hardwick blaming repeated harassment.
A full report is avaialble on the BBC News website
Nottingham tenant evicted for neglecting his home
30th of August 2011
A Nottingham tenant was last week evicted for the unhygienic state of his home and garden.
The tenant failed to bring his home and garden to an acceptable state a number of warnings and his promise to the court in a previous hearing that the property would be in a clean and tidy condition in the future.
To read the full story, please click here
Housing association backs kids' fun
30th of August 2011
South Staffordshire Housing Association has helped to fund a summer of fun for more than 230 young people, organised by a children’s charity the Prime Minister has praised.
To read the full story, please click here
MacAskill hints at single Scottish police force
30th of August 2011
The Justice Secretary has hinted his support for a single national police force for Scotland.
Mr MacAskill told a conference other options for change could not deliver the same benefits.
He is due to formally announce his decision on the future of policing to the Scottish parliament next week.
To read the full report from the BBC please click here
Social Mobility and Child Poverty review - Call for evidence
26th of August 2011
The Government has appointed Alan Milburn as Independent Reviewer of Social Mobility and Child Poverty, pending the establishment of a statutory Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission next year.
The Commission will be issuing its first report to Parliament in Spring next year and has issued a Call for Evidence to help inform that report.
To get the full details, please click here
Social impact bonds to fund intensive help for families
26th of August 2011
A major trial of a new way to fund intensive help for families blighted by anti-social behaviour, crime, addiction and poor education was announced by Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society today.
Social Impact Bonds lets people invest in social projects to address these issues and be paid a return if the projects are successful. Up to £40million could be raised by four Social Impact Bond pilots launched in Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, Birmingham and Leicestershire.
To read the full story, please click here
Offenders to go full time on community payback
24th of August 2011
Offenders will be made to do a full five day week of hard work and job-seeking, under new proposals for community sentences confirmed today.
The work will include hard manual labour, improving public areas by clearing up litter, cleaning graffiti and maintaining parks and other green spaces.
The new instructions will see unemployed criminals forced to work a minimum of 28 hours over four days, with the fifth day spent looking for full time employment. Prior to today’s announcement, Community Payback programmes could be spread out over 12 months with some offenders working for a minimum of just six hours per week. The new, more intensive scheme, will also be delivered more immediately after sentence, imposed on offenders within seven days of sentencing, instead of the two weeks it currently takes following the court appearance.
The public can nominate jobs for offenders via direct.gov.
To read more, please click here
whg backs Junior Neighbourhood Watch
24th of August 2011
Lessons to keep children safe on the streets, teach them to take care of their neighbours and respect other people’s property are on the timetable in Walsall.
whg has awarded £2,550 from its Local Neighbourhood Fund to Rushall, Shelfield and Pelsall Neighbourhood Watch to expand its Junior Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
To read the full story, please click here
Have you been affected by the recent riots?
23rd of August 2011
The DCLG has published information on Government compensation and support for individuals, businesses, Local Authorities and Fire and Rescue Authorities affected by the recent riots.
To access the information, please click here
Policing in your pocket
23rd of August 2011
Surrey residents are the first to benefit from a new interactive smart phone app which uses crime mapping data from the government's Police.uk website.
Surrey Police Beat allows users to view what crimes are happening on their streets in a convenient format, and for the first time gives live updates on where and how neighbourhood police teams are taking action. Surrey Police are one of six 'trailblazer' forces which are working on innovative ways to display street-level data about crime and anti social behaviour.
To read the story in full, please click here
Riot Payback schemes
17th of August 2011
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced Riot Payback schemes whereby people in visible orange clothing will make up for the damage done, repairing and improving the neighbourhoods affected by the violent disruption around the country last week.
In addition, he has said that from March 2012 every offender who leaves prison “won’t just be allowed to drift back to their old life, won’t just be able to drift in to a life of worklessness and yet more repeat crime only to turn up in the same prison having been sentenced again for an even more serious offence, no. They will be met at the prison gates by providers in the work programme who will make sure that those offenders as they leave prison will be put through a tough process so that they find work and they stay on the straight and narrow.”
To read Mr Clegg’s statement in full, please click here
Residents Invited to Tackle Hate Crime
16th of August 2011
Residents of Wolverhampton are being invited to tackle hate crime by attending six special events in August organised by Wolverhampton Homes.
To find out more, please click here
Cannabis factory closed
16th of August 2011
SLCNG member, Sheffield Homes, has secured a possession order against a tenant who turned his home into a cannabis factory
To read the full story, please click here
Mandatory power of possession for ASB - Extending Scope of Current Consultation
16th of August 2011
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has made changes made to the scope of the current consultation on strengthening the hands of landlords to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour and criminality which was launched on 3 August.
Mr Shapps’ letter as well as the revised consultation document are available on the DCLG website at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/antisocialbehaviourconsult
The closing date for the consultation has also been extended to Monday 7 November
Disorder in England: statements by Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Communities
11th of August 2011
The Prime Minister delivered a statement to the House of Commons on the recent disturbances in various parts of England. Also today the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. laid a written statement before the House.
Most immediately noteworthy are the steps to:
• Consult immediately on extending the grounds for possession to include criminal activity away from the locality of the tenancy
• Lift the restriction on police powers to remove face masks
• Take action to deal with the most disruptive families
• Extend gang injunctions to the whole of the country for adults and for children
• Make tackling street gangs a national priority – to learn from Strathclyde’s success in doing so, and report to Parliament in October on a cross-government programme of action to deal with gang culture.
To download a briefing provided by SLCNG member Weightmans LLP to guide Housing Providers who find themselves in the position of housing the perpetrators of the violence please click on the download button.
Housing Minister signals intention to change law on possession
11th of August 2011
Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, is expected to make an announcement later today about proposals to introduce new measures aimed at enabling social landlords to obtain possession against tenants (including visitors and members of their household) convicted of a criminal offence anywhere.
The current ground for possession is restricted to conviction for offences committed in the locality of their home.
Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Shapps said: "I'm talking about the possibility that this could lose you your tenancy - that you do something overnight which is not just criminal but destroys your own life chances. I don't think it's right when people clearly prepared to act not as a decent member of society should be treated to the benefits society has to offer."
Elsewhere (on Twitter) he is reported as saying: "Those who engage in serious anti-social behaviour in any neighbourhood should not benefit from social housing."
This development comes in the immediate aftermath of the serious unrest of recent days and immediately in advance of today’s sitting of the recalled Parliament.
To download a briefing provided by SLCNG member Weightmans LLP to guide Housing Providers who find themselves in the position of housing the perpetrators of the violence please click on the download button.
100th signatory to Respect
11th of August 2011
Since the launch of the Respect - ASB Charter for Housing at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Annual Conference in Harrogate in June 2011 by the CIH, the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group (SLCNG) and HouseMark 100 social landlords have signed up.
The voluntary Charter created by housing professionals in consultation with residents, commits social landlords to providing a high quality service to prevent and deal with anti-social behaviour.
The Charter puts an even higher priority on tackling anti-social behaviour in order to protect vulnerable tenants and improve the lives of people resident in social housing.
Signing up to the Charter is by self-assessment and is easy. Just complete all the details on the online form and submit it electronically.
National Citizen Service - Bolton
10th of August 2011
The Bolton Lads and Girls Club - the country's largest youth club and one of the 12 pilots for the Government's new National Citizen Service programme – has hosted a visit by . Baroness Newlove, the Government's Champion for Active Safer Communities
She was given a tour of the club and heard from recent graduates from the programme about their experiences and discussed their ideas for social action.
To read the full story from DCLG please click here
16 hours a day on curfew
8th of August 2011
Tougher community sentences will see offenders forced to spend longer in their homes - up to 16 hours each day for a whole year, Minister for Prisons and Probation Crispin Blunt confirmed today.
These new proposals are part of the Government’s plans to reform sentencing and tackle the root causes of offending.
To read the full story please click here
LABOUR CALLS FOR ROLL OUT OF INNOVATIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SCHEME AS CRIMES INCREASE
4th of August 2011
Scottish Labour has called on the Scottish government to roll out a scheme that has been successful in seeing over a hundred persistent, dangerous and violent domestic abuse offenders brought to justice.
Increased protection against dangerous dogs
4th of August 2011
New measures are in place to tackle the problem of dangerous dogs in Northern Ireland. They are designed to deal with the issue of dog attacks. Anyone who flouts the law by setting, urging or allowing a dog to attack a person, livestock or pet animal, can expect tough penalties.
For more information please click here
Swifter justice for victims of 'neighbours from hell'
3rd of August 2011
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has today announced plans to speed up the process for evicting persistent neighbours from hell from their homes when all other efforts to curb their anti-social behaviour have failed.
He has proposed a new mandatory power for possession, enabling previous convictions for anti-social behaviour to be taken into account and short-cutting the often long and expensive process which requires landlords to prove again the 'yobbish' actions of their nightmare tenants.
To read the full story plesae click here
The Scottish Social Housing Charter: a consultation
2nd of August 2011
The Scottish Government is consulting on the future of tenant services and landlord regulation. The Charter, Scotland’s first, is aimed at ensuring that all tenants of all social landlords receive continually improving services by setting standards that all social landlords should be achieving.
In contrast to the approach to regulation developing in England, the new Scottish Housing Regulator will monitor, assess and report on landlords' progress in achieving the Charter's outcomes - and, where needed, will be able to seek compliance with the Charter. The Government, in turn, will use the Regulator's reports to ensure that public investment in new social housing goes to landlords that are shown to be achieving good outcomes for their tenants and communities.
The consultation runs until 1 November 2011.
Copies of the consultation together with full details of how to respond and other supporting information is available from the Scottish Government website via the following link http://housingcharter.scotland.gov.uk/scottish-charter
Annual report to tenants
28th of July 2011
In a letter to CEOs, the TSA has confirmed that annual reports to tenants should be made available to tenants no later than 1 October 2011. Although the TSA itself does not require providers to routinely send us a copy of their 2011 annual reports, it does stress its commitment to the current regulatory requirement (that reports are available to your tenants by October 2011).
To read the TSA's letter, please click here
20th of July 2011
Vulnerable victims of crime across England and Wales will benefit from 30 millions of pounds of funding from Government funding, over the next three years. The money has been allocated to local organisations that have a proven track record in supporting victims at their most vulnerable.
Please click on the following links to read the full story and to see the full list of organisations that are being funded
18th of July 2011
The national roll-out of 101 has taken a significant step forward with six forces in the south-east of England (Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police, Essex Police, Sussex Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary) now 'live' on the system.
The 101 non-emergency number was first piloted in 2006 as a partnership between the police and local authorities. It has continued to operate as a police non-emergency number in Wales, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and Sheffield as a partnership between the police and the local council.
101 will be adopted by every police force in England by early 2012.
For more information please click here
Police IT reform announced
4th of July 2011
The Home Secretary says a company will be set up to manage police information and communications technology.
Speaking at the summer conference of the Association of Chief Police Officers(Opens in a new window), Theresa May announced that a police-owned company will save money and streamline services.
She explained that around £1.2 billion is currently spent on ICT, with around 5,000 staff working on more than 2,000 separate systems across 100 data centres.
The new company – which should be formed by spring 2012 – will mean better systems and better value for money.
To read the full story, please click here
FOI to be extended to housing associations
24th of June 2011
The Government has indicated an intention to extend the scope of the Freedom of Information Act to include housing associations. Formal consultation is expected later this year.
To read more on this story, please click here
NEW DRIVE TO TACKLE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ON HOUSING ESTATES
24th of June 2011
Hundreds of social landlords in England are due to sign up to a new charter for anti-social behaviour ASB.
The report, Respect - ASB Charter for Housing, was launched by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group (SLCNG) and HouseMark.
Sarah Webb, CIH chief executive, said: "This has been an excellent opportunity to work with key partners, housing professionals and tenant's groups to set out a really outcome focused charter that is actually sector owned. We really hope that housing organisations embrace the new charter and work with their tenants to shape truly excellent ASB services"
The voluntary charter created by housing professionals in consultation with residents, commits landlords to providing a high quality service to prevent and deal with anti-social behaviour.
The charter puts an even higher priority on tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) in order to protect vulnerable tenants and improve the lives of people resident in social housing.
Eamon Lynch, managing director at the SLCNG, said: "Developed by expert practitioners, this new charter embodies best practice from around the country. Landlords signing up to the charter are making a highly visible and powerful commitment which will provide increased assurance to their tenants."
Samantha McGrady, deputy chief executive of HouseMark, added: "ASB is a top priority for tenants, and HouseMark is pleased to have been involved in developing the charter, which will help landlords improve their service and performance in this area."
For more information on the Respect Charter go to www.cih.org/respectstandard
Proposals to introduce tougher checks on known sex offenders
14th of June 2011
Proposals to introduce tougher checks on known sex offenders have been published today by the Home Office.
Currently, sex offenders are required to notify the police of personal details such as address and national insurance number annually and whenever details change. But today the government is seeking to extend this, and aims to compel offenders to notify the police:
• weekly when they have no fixed abode
• when they are living with a child under the age of 18
• of passport, bank account and credit card details
They must also tell police about all foreign travel. Currently, notification only needs to be made when the trip is more than three days.
For the full information, please click here
Ground-breaking new scheme to tackle ASB
3rd of June 2011
A new and unique approach to dealing with antisocial behaviour has been launched recently in Devon and Cornwall.
The scheme is aimed mainly at people who are given a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) for minor offences, and will give them the opportunity to attend a challenging and interactive awareness course for £40 rather than pay the £80 fine.
Offenders can also be nominated to attend a course by antisocial behaviour co-ordinators, probation officers, police officers and youth offending teams.
The courses are aimed at encouraging offenders to review their behaviour and the consequences this has on them and those around them, and empower them to change their attitude and behaviour.
To read the full story please click here
Commission Chair criticises ASB reform proposals
26th of May 2011
Home Office proposals to reform the laws against ASB could create a parallel system for dealing with youth crime and sit "somewhat disjointedly" with Ministry of Justice plans for sentencing and rehabilitation reform.
That’s the view of the Chair of the Independent Commission on Youth Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour.
To read the full story please click here
SLCNG response to the government's consultation 'More Effective Responses To Anti-Social Behaviour'
18th of May 2011
SLCNG has called on government to recognise the pivotal role of social landlords and tenants in tackling ASB as its reform proposals are progressed and to ensure that the new regime does not diminish the ability of landlords to manage their estates and individual tenancies in addition to addressing anti-social behaviour in the community.
Woman sentenced for breaching Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction
12th of May 2011
A Solihull woman has been sentenced to 28 days imprisonment for breaching her interim ASBI.
Laura Cosgrave, aged 29, of Hytall Road, Solihull Lodge, was issued with an interim ASBI (Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction) on 17th March 2011. She was due to appear before Birmingham County Court on 6th May 2011, after she breached her injunction on 18th April 2011.
Miss Cosgrave failed to appear before Birmingham County Court on 6th May 2011 and the sentence was given in her absence. A warrant has been issued for her arrest.
Solihull Council was awarded £690.00 in costs
Police reform: one year on
9th of May 2011
One year on from coming into office, the Home Secretary has reinforced her and her government’s determination to push through the police reform agenda in full. Addressing a conference of police officers in London today, the Home Secretary concentrated to a large extent on “busting bureaucracy and allowing police to police and not fill in forms.”
Amongst the measures announced today were:
Postal charging - a process which allows police to inform defendants via post that they have been charged. This will require the defendant to attend court on a specific date to answer the charge rather than calling the suspect back to the police station for charging. This would only happen in specific cases, Mrs May, but would save around 40,000 police officer hours annually.
Crime categories reduced – the review of crime statistics which is currently taking place could see the number of crime categories being reduced. This would reduce the amount of time spent filling out crime reports, saving around 95,000 hours of officer time each year. Added to this, more efficient call handing processes, carried out by staff rather than police officers, should mean more efficient prioritising of incidents.
Reducing guidance - a review by Sara Thornton, Thames Valley chief constable, is likely to see a reduction in the police service's guidance by 2012. This is likely to reduce current guidance from around 600 pieces of
End of ring-fenced funding - From 2013, when police and crime commissioners will set their first budgets, the ring-fencing of all of central policing grants will stop, save only for counter-terrorism.
To read the Home Secretary's speech in full, please click here
Housing Minister and Baroness Newlove visit Liverpool estate
9th of May 2011
Housing and Local Government Minister Grant Shapps and Baroness Helen Newlove have today visited Liverpool to learn from a local community that has come together to defeat the bullies and troublemakers in their area.
The visit involved SLCNG member, Liverpool Mutual Homes, who joined forces with Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police, the Westminster Estate Tenants and Residents Association (WETRA), and the local Rathbone Youth Outreach group.
Working together, the tenant-led project has helped improve services, reduce anti-social behaviour and make the area a cleaner, safer place to live.
To read the DCLG press statement, please click here
To read the BBC’s coverage of the visit, please click here
Review of Respect Standard - latest update
9th of May 2011
The Respect survey has now closed. It attracted a really good and positive response. Along with HouseMark and CIH, we will be collating all the feedback over the next 2 weeks and will post a summary of the responses on webpage. Using the feedback we have received, we will produce a further draft of the new 'standard' which will go back to the project steering group. The new ‘standard’ will be launched at CIH's Harrogate conference in June
For more information about revising the ‘Respect Standard’ please go to http://www.cih.org/respectstandard/
Proposed ASB powers could put children at risk warns Barnardos
9th of May 2011
Childrens charity Barnardos warns that the Police ‘direction power’, could see children returned to unsafe homes or pushed into potentially harmful situations if it is used without considering the risks.
To read more please click here
Anti-Social Behaviour and the Courts in England and Wales
6th of May 2011
This research by Oxford University examined the extent to which the good practices from the previous ASB Response Courts , which were underpinned by a ‘community justice model’, have been absorbed into mainstream courts in England and Wales. as the Ministry of Justice had previously claimed.
In particular, the research examined to what extent the judicial role in anti-social behaviour cases is primarily an adjudicatory one and how far improving outcomes for ‘the community’ features as part of the court process. The project also considered to what extent principles of community justice now feature in the administration of ASB cases.
The findings indicate that magistrates’ courts in particular are not suitably equipped, resourced and managed to deal most effectively with antisocial behaviour cases
Irwell Valley Evicts Anti-Social Tenant
28th of April 2011
Irwell Valley Housing and Greater Manchester Police have taken joint action to evict the occupants of a house in Bury.
Following a series of antisocial behaviour incidents including fires, the occupier was evicted by order of Bury Magistrates Court on Friday 15 April.
The property had proved to be a drain on emergency services in recent months. The Fire Service was called out to investigate fires at the back of the property while Police had received calls about the use of needles and drug paraphernalia in and around the house. Environmental Health visits were also required due to the state of the premises
To read the full story please click here
New method to tackle lead and copper thefts
28th of April 2011
Following recent gas explosions in Cheshire and London, linked to theft of copper piping, Neighbourhood Policing Officers in Derby have been pursuing a new approach to prevent metal thefts. It involves DNA grease to mark materials at risk of theft, such as metal flashing and copper piping. The grease not only marks the metal but, if touched, it also stains the hands and clothes of the offender with a UV tracer and a unique DNA code. These marks can stay on a perpetrator’s skin and clothing for weeks.
To read the full story please click here
Knowsley Housing helps halve gun crime
26th of April 2011
Knowsley Housing Trust, together with partner agencies, reduced various forms of anti-social last year, some by as much as 50 per cent.
To read the full story please click here
Housing association home shut down by police
21st of April 2011
A home owned by a housing association in Suffolk has been closed down after police were granted a full closure application following persistent anti-social behaviour.
The property in Haverhill will be closed for three months, with the court order prohibiting anyone from entering or remaining on the premises.
To read the full syory from Dash24 please click here
Respect is the name of the game
21st of April 2011
Young people have been learning about the issues that affect them and their communities, in a special week long series of events, lessons and interaction organised by Severnside Housing.
The ‘Respect Me’ week of events was held at Crowmoor Primary School and Belvidere Secondary School in Shrewsbury during the week commencing 14 March. A number of local partner agencies got involved, including Shropshire Council, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police, Crimestoppers, Shropshire Lesbian, Bisexual and Gay Group, the Substance Misuse Team and The Hive Music and Media Centre and each ran sessions throughout the week.
To read the full story, plesae click here
Labour party review of anti-social behaviour policy
14th of April 2011
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper launched a Labour party review of anti-social behaviour yesterday saying that "Labour's Respect programme and neighbourhood policing did help cut anti-social behaviour in many areas, but too many communities are still blighted by persistent nuisance, harassment or bad behaviour, and our priority now is to work with local communities on how to do more. [But] when I talk to victims, residents, the police or community champions across the country, no one ever calls for fewer police, weaker powers or less youth services. This Government is completely out of touch on crime and anti-social behaviour, and it's unfair on victims and communities who are at greatest risk."
Details of the review are not yet available but SLCNG will bring them to you at the earliest opportunity. meanwhile, if you would like to read Ms Cooper’s statement in full, please click here
Eviction for family who terrorised neighbours
12th of April 2011
A family who subjected their community to years of ASB has been evicted from their Manchester home after losing a legal fight at the Supreme Court.
Cleveland Pinnock and his partner Christine Walker have been evicted from their house on Meldon Road in Longsight.
The catalogue of ASB perpetrated by Mr Pinnock's sons included theft, burglary with intent to steal, possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply, dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and racial abuse.
To read the full story, please click here
National Stalking Awareness Week
11th of April 2011
The first annual National Stalking Awareness Week runs from the 11th to the 15th April. The aim of the week is to raise the public’s understanding of stalking through the campaign Name it. Report it. Stop it.
In the run up to NSAW the Helpline and its three parent charities have been working hard with MPs to gain support for an Early Day Motion supporting a call for the review of the Protection Against Harassment Act 1997.
Each day will focus on a different area of stalking:
Day 1 April 11th – The National Stalking Awareness Week launch event ‘Out of the Shadows’
Day 2 April 12th – Victims
Day 3 April 13th– Criminal Justice Agencies , ACPO and CPS
Day 4 April 14th – Perpetrators
Day 5 April 15th – First Anniversary of the National Stalking Helpline
For more information visit the website
Radical approach to drugs recovery piloted
8th of April 2011
Eight areas in England are to test innovative new ways to help drug addicts recover and achieve a sustained recovery, Public Health Minister Anne Milton announced today.
The areas have been selected following a competition to pilot a Payment by Results set out in the new Drugs Strategy 2010.
Providers will be paid simply on the outcomes they achieve - such as being free of dependence or back in work.
The successful pilot sites which have been invited to pilot the scheme are: Bracknell Forest, Enfield, Kent, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Stockport, Wakefield and Wigan.
To find out more, please click here
New Changes to Eviction Procedure
8th of April 2011
From 04 April, landlords in Scotland wishing to enforce a decree for recovery of possession of property, will now be required to instruct Sheriff Officers to serve a Charge for Removing on the tenant notifying them that they have 14 days to vacate the property.
This replaces the previous practice of serving on the tenant a 48-hour Charge or Notice of Eviction confirming the date that the eviction would take place.
For more information, download the attached briefing courtesy of T C Young solicitors.
SLCNG Awards 2011
7th of April 2011
The Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group 2011 awards programme is now open for the receipt of nominations.
Winners will be announced and awards presented at the Conference Dinner on 01 November 2011 at the SLCNG Annual ASB Conference and Exhibition in Solihull.
Last year’s awards presentation attracted more than 300 people including leading practitioners from across the UK, Government Departments and national bodies.
There are four awards:
The Tim Winter award - for an employee of a SLCNG member organisation who has gone above and beyond their remit and has tackled antisocial behaviour effectively.
The best practice award sponsored by HouseMark - This award is open to any project or initiative demonstrating measurable improvement in reducing antisocial behaviour and increasing community confidence. The project may be specific to a particular neighbourhood or may be targetted on a particular client group or issue.
The residents’ award sponsored by Glasgow Housing Association - This award recognises the bravery and courage of an individual or a group of local residents who have taken a personal stand against antisocial behaviour.
The team award sponsored by ReACT - This award is for a group or a team that has provided an exceptional service in resolving antisocial behaviour in a specific neighbourhood. The team could be located within a single organisation or be drawn from across a range of local agencies and the community.
Consultation on new Respect Standard for Housing Management
7th of April 2011
SLCNG, HouseMark and CIH have drafted a new standard to replace the Respect Standard for Housing Management. We are currently consulting on the draft standard through a web survey. To download the draft standard or to take part in the survey please visit the website
