While I welcome Housing Minister Grant Shapps’ proposals to reform the mechanisms and powers available to tackle anti-social behaviour - including making it easier for social housing landlords to evict nuisance neighbours - the devil is in the detail as is so well argued in an open letter to the Minister at
http://nearlylegal.co.uk/blog/2011/01/dear-mr-shapps/
Anti-social behaviour blights the lives of individuals and communities but when more than half of ASBOs are breached and only half of those guilty of a breach are sent to prison as a result, it’s clear to me and my front line colleagues that we have to get off this merry go round that has become a self-perpetuating industry, fodder for ridiculous media stories - and meanwhile the offenders gather the orders like some badge of honour.
Irwelll Valley is committed to tackling nuisance behaviour with all the powers that are available to us, but the outcomes more often than not are short term and shift the problem elsewhere. Prevention is not a pie-in-the sky option. Yes, it’s difficult to do and it takes commitment, resources and imagination – but that didn’t stop us from introducing Gold Service, which has proven that incentivising good behaviour is good for neighbourhoods and business.
This year, we’ll be launching a new Gold Service offer and extending our Community Development programme with even greater focus on tackling the root causes of anti-social behaviour, improving quality of life and rewarding respect. It’s a big task, relegating the ASBO industry to the footnotes – but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Please let me know your views by completing the form below.
Best Wishes,