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New powers for ALMOs tackling anti-social behaviour
Sheffield Homes, the largest Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) in the country, has today welcomed the Government’s announcement to give ALMOs extra powers in the fight against anti-social behaviour.
However, the ALMO, which tackles around 8500 complaints of anti-social behaviour every year in partnership with Sheffield City Council, said it remains committed to using legal action as a last resort.
Peter Morton, Chief Executive of Sheffield Homes, said, "We welcome today’s announcement, which recognises the important role that ALMOs across the country play in tackling anti-social behaviour in our communities. However, we will continue to see ASBOs as a last resort. In Sheffield we resolve 98% of anti-social behaviour complaints without the need to take legal action. We also work closely with tenants, residents, the Police, Council, community groups and local traders to prevent anti-social behaviour. We employ wardens on our estates, run school programmes for children from the age of 3, and provide training for Tenants and Residents Associations."
Sheffield was one of 10 areas chosen by the Government to be ‘Trailblazers’ in the national ‘Together’ campaign to tackle nuisance neighbours and anti-social behaviour. Sheffield Homes employs 48 neighbourhood and safety wardens to provide a highly visible, deterrent presence on estates, whilst a specialist central team works closely with the Police and local community to tackle the issues head on. 74% of customers who have been assisted by Sheffield Homes with an anti-social behaviour case say they are satisfied with the outcome.
Since July 2006 Sheffield Homes and Sheffield City Council have worked in partnership to:
- Evict 6 nuisance neighbour families
- Serve 57 notices seeking possession
- Issue 959 warnings to people, which resulted in cases being resolved
- without further action being required.
- Issue 43 Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs)
- Issue 3 Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)
5 people who breached their ASBO have been sent to prison.
In 2007 there will be…
- 71 Police Community Support Officers (14 more than in 2005)
- 10 Safer Neighbourhood Teams, covering all parts of Sheffield
- 48 Street Wardens (a 33% increase since they were introduced in 2005)