Social landlords warn 'Dad's Army' approach to tackling ASB is not the answer

Fifteen leading social landlords in the north of England have cast doubt on Government proposals which rely on local communities tackling anti-social residents.
 
Responding to Home Secretary Theresa May’s speech which suggested ASBOs could be scrapped, the Airport Group points to the importance of protecting victims and the use of professional witnesses to resolve anti-social behaviour. 
 
The Airport Group of stock transfer housing associations owns homes across the city regions of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds. 
 
It is understood the Home Office plans a short period of consultation this month, so the Group has issued a preliminary response to the speech.
 
Ian Munro, Group Chief Executive of New Charter Housing Trust in Ashton-under-Lyne (pictured), said: “Unfortunately, we are not simply dealing with over-exuberant youths or neighbours who have had a disagreement over the hedge.

“Some offenders are well-known to police forces for multiple criminality, including use of violence. As landlords actively tackling these problems, we find reluctance of neighbours to intervene or give evidence because they are frightened of reprisals.

"Communities have a right to expect our support. Using our own staff or other professionals is often the only way we can restore peace to neighbourhoods.”
 
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a clear expectation of landlords from most resident consultation.

But the Airport Group also notes the danger that intolerance of difference and diversity may not lead to successful self-policing.

“Trained mediation does solve a lot of low level conflicts, and willing residents can be invaluable as mediators,” said Geraldine Howley, Group Chief Executive of Bradford-based Incommunities.

“But there are situations which are too serious for mediation. We need to retain certain tools and powers to address these problems. The type of panels envisaged by Mrs May might struggle to deal with serious problems in a fair and effective way.”
 
The Airport Group also wants ordinary residents to be consulted on any changes to legal remedies and procedures.

“The danger of this short period to gather views is that our communities’ voices will not be heard,” said Sheila Doran, Chief Executive of Eastlands Partnerships in Manchester.

“I doubt there is the appetite of decent residents to tackle the serious and often complex problems of anti-social behaviour, but let’s not fall into the trap of thinking we know best,” she added.
 
East Manchester resident Angela Howard, a member of Gorton All Together and Friends of Whitsbury Avenue in Gorton, shared one of her experiences where a family made residents’ lives a misery with aggressive behaviour, late night parties and fights.

She said: “People are reluctant to tackle these issues without clear intervention and leadership from police, landlords and councils. Now, we can rely on our landlord to intervene and bring this type of behaviour to a close.

"The idea that the majority of decent residents will stand up against unacceptable behaviour of the few just won’t happen without access to real sanctions. The Home Secretary can’t expect residents’ groups to take civil actions to control bad neighbours.”
 
Although the Airport Group would welcome some simplification of the remedies, it warns that the ASBO is the only available measure to address serious anti-social behaviour by juveniles. 

It suggests extending to landlords those powers only police and local authorities have, as well as wanting greater recognition by government of the important preventative work aimed at young people.