Council’s Housing Service Support Anti-Social Behaviour Week
Mid Devon Housing (MDH) recently joined a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB); encouraging communities to take a stand against ASB and to highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.
The week saw a series of events and partnership work take place. At the start of the week, a street surgery offering help and advice to Mid Devon residents was held in Cullompton alongside Devon & Cornwall Police and Victim Support.
To help raise awareness of the harm ASB can cause to victims and what support is available, MDH interviewed Heather Welch, the Devon and Cornwall Area Manager at Victim Support for their newsletter. Heather gave an insight into what the charity does and how it can help those affected by ASB and other crimes. You can read the interview and full special ASB newsletter here.
Mid Devon Housing also hosted coffee mornings with the Police at the leisure centres in Crediton and Cullompton, offering friendly and informal sessions for tenants to drop in and report ASB, express concerns and have their questions answered.
Towards the end of the week, Mid Devon Housing organised a special Neighbourhood Walkabout in one of its Tiverton estates, with the Police, local Councillors and the Councils Street Scene team in attendance. The housing service has a regular programme of Neighbourhood Walkabouts which take place twice yearly, allowing tenants to address concerns within their communities and to speak directly with their Neighbourhood Officer.
Councillor Simon Clist, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Housing & Property Services, said:
"We recognise that it can take a lot of courage to report an issue involving anti-social behaviour, however, we hope that our Neighbourhood Walkabouts and visits from our Neighbourhood Officers provides tenants with an opportunity to voice their concerns.
“MDH’s proactive approach to ASB and the partnership work that takes place in support of this is crucial in order to help us to combat ASB. We’re proud that this work was recognised earlier this year, as our Neighbourhood Officers won the Resolve ASB Team of the Year Award.
“We very much welcome proactive tenant involvement and we are continuously working towards providing more ways for our tenants to get involved so that everyone has the opportunity to have their say and influence decision making.”
During ASB week, Mid Devon Housings revised anti-social behaviour policy was approved by Cabinet, following consultation with tenants and partner agencies.
In line with guidance from the Housing Ombudsman, neighbour disputes and everyday living noise will now not be treated as anti-social behaviour. Instead, Neighbourhood Officers will provide advice to tenants experiencing these issues on what they can do in an effort to resolve any concerns. Domestic abuse and harassment have now been included within the ASB Policy, providing one place for tenants to view guidance and procedures for dealing with these serious issues.
Any tenant experiencing anti-social behaviour should in the first instance use our ASB Toolkit which provides advice on what can be done. Anti-social behaviour can also be reported to the Council by calling 01884 255 255, by emailing htenancy@middevon.gov.uk or by filling out our online form.