ASB - England
Last updated Date:17/04/2013
Latest news
Draft Bill on anti-social behaviour published
The Home Office published the draft bill on anti-social behaviour (13 December) which dramatically reduces the measures available to tackle ASB and adopts a victim-centred approach. The two key tools for registered housing providers will be an injunction for the prevention of nuisance and annoyance and a community protection notice. The Homes Affairs Select Committee will carry out pre-legislative scrutiny on the draft bill in early 2013 and it is expected to become law by 2015.
CIH press release on the draft bill. CIH director of policy and practice Gavin Smart has given evidence to the Home Affairs select committee on the draft bill.
New Police Crime Commissioners elected
The first elections of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) took place on 15 November 2012. The PCCs replace the existing police authorities on 22 November 2012. Work is underway to establish the arrangements for elected PCCs. PCCs will be accountable to the electorate and will hold the chief constable and police force to account in their local areas. A key issue in relation to ASB is that PCCs will hold local community safety partnerships to account and will eventually assume control over crime and community safety budgets.
What can you do?
The housing sector needs to make sure that it positions itself to have influence under the new PCC arrangements by having robust data on ASB and demonstrating the impact and outcomes it is achieving in preventing and tackling ASB, so that it can influence decision-making and budget allocation.
CIH looks at the role of PCCs and how they will impact on organisations' work to tackle anti-social behaviour.
CIH view
The CIH has worked with over 300 landlords in the past 2 years to develop ASB services to ultimately improve outcomes for victims of ASB. The housing sector play a pivotal role in tackling ASB, and it is pleasing to see that the housing sector was significantly mentioned within the Home Office White Paper. This highlights the great strides that we have taken in ensuring that our good practice is shared.
However, the next couple of years will see significant changes following the introduction of locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners and with the impending introduction of the new proposed tools and powers. Now is an important time for landlords to ensure that they remain at the top table when it comes to making strategic decisions about how ASB is managed. We believe that the plans to streamline existing ASB powers will support landlords and partner agencies in managing unacceptable behaviour within communities, thereby reducing costs and time spent waiting for court hearings.
CIH launches Community Harm Statement to help social landlords tackle anti-social behaviour and give a stronger voice to communities
A new tool designed to make it easier for social landlords to demonstrate the impact of anti-social behaviour (ASB) has been launched by the Chartered Institute of Housing. Developed with a range of partners, the Community Harm Statement introduces a recognised template to present evidence to court in a consistent way that properly captures the impact of harm on the community. It gives a stronger voice to communities by helping ensure that the damage inflicted by ASB is properly voiced and listened to when landlords take legal action. It can also be used to support non-judicial actions, casework and partnership working. Download the template and guidance note . The Community Harm Statement has been piloted by a number of social landlords and case studies showing how it was used can be found on the ASB section of the CIH practice hub.Related documents
Draft Anti-Social Behaviour Bill December 2012
Anti-social behaviour white paper May 2012
Community Harm Statement March 2012
Community Harm Statement guidance March 2012
The Riot Report February 2012
How to...manage ASB cases effectively December 2011
CIH response to DCLG consultation on a new mandatory power for possession November 2011
CIH position statement on the August riots August 2011
Respect - ASB charter for housing June 2011
Respect: delivering the ASB charter for housing (CIH advice and guidance on translating the charter into practice) is available to purchase from our bookshop.
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