London Mayor supports Servite's crack down on ASB

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, visited Servite Houses’ Church Manor estate in Lambeth yesterday (Thursday 9 March), to see how working closely with the police Safer Neighbourhoods Team has been successful in dramatically cutting crime and anti social behaviour.

During a tour of the estate the Mayor saw the flat where Servite’s anti social behaviour team and local police recently secured their second Crack House Closure. He then watched PC Alan Douglas Smith deliver personal safety training to Servite tenants before answering some of their questions.

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said: "This estate is a great example of a successful London Clean Up project. Servite have worked effectively with their local safer neighbourhood police team to deal with anti social behaviour like graffiti, abandoned cars and vandalism, which has been crucial to improving the quality of life for residents. Having your local officers pounding the beat and working with the community works, which is why I am providing funds to allow for safer neighbourhood teams like this one in every neighbourhood in every borough across London over the next year.”

Head of Servite’s specialist anti social behaviour team, Colin Lydon, said: "Tackling anti social behaviour is a top priority for Servite. We have a dedicated ASB Officer at the Church Manor estate, who can support the police and deal with ASB as it happens. We’re also taking action on the causes of ASB, so there are fewer incidents for police to deal with. And we know it’s working. Since the start of our ‘Safer Estate, Sustainable Community’ strategy, incidents of ASB on the estate are down by a third.”

Ends

Press release issued: March 10 2006