Tony Blair visits Servite's 'transformed' London estate

The Prime Minister inspected a closed-down drugs den at Church Manor estate in Lambeth on Thursday last week, where he saw first-hand how Servite are working with neighbourhood police teams to help tackle serious crime.

He chatted with Servite staff and residents and members of the local police Safer Neighbourhood teams.

"He was really interested in what we are doing to tackle anti social behaviour and how the government can do more to help,” said Katrina Robinson, Legal Services Manager at Servite.

Katrina told the PM about her ideas for a database of tenants guilty of anti social behaviour that could be shared between local authorities and housing associations. It would help make sure tenants have always received the right kind of rehabilitation and are offered the right kinds of tenancies. He was so impressed he asked her to write all the ideas in a briefing note and send them over to him.

The Prime Minister visited the estate alongside new Home Secretary John Reid, as a report on Neighbourhood Policing was published.

"Dealing with anti social behaviour is key to improving residents’ quality of life. Servite have utilised new anti social behaviour laws and worked effectively with local police to transform the Church Manor estate,” said the Home Secretary. "It's a good example of a housing association working closely with the police to cut crime and anti social behaviour, and protect and reassure the local community.”

Since the start of their new estate strategy at Church Manor, Servite have a dedicated ASB Officer at the estate, and incidents of anti social behaviour are down by a third.

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Press release issued: May 26 2006