Mid Devon Housing (MDH) joined a national campaign which ran from 3rd - 9th July to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB). The aim was to encourage 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 partnerships take place which started with a multi-agency Street Surgery in Cullompton with Devon & Cornwall Police and Victim Support, offering help and advice to residents of Mid Devon.
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 an ASB newsletter special. 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 here:
Mid DevonHousing NewsMDH 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, a Neighbourhood Officer, the Police, Street Scene and local Councillors undertook an inspection on one of our estates in Tiverton. This was in addition to our regular programme of Neighbourhood Walkabouts which take place twice yearly, allowing tenants to address concerns within their communities and also to speak directly to their Neighbourhood Officer.
Councillor Clist: Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Housing & Property Services.
“MDH’s proactive approach to ASB and the partnership working that takes place in support of this, is crucial in order to combat ASB. This approach was recognised when our Neighbourhood Officers won the Resolve ASB Team of the Year Award earlier this year.
"We recognise that it can take a lot of courage to report an issue involving ASB; however, we give tenants the opportunity to have a friendly discussion with our Neighbourhood Officers, when we visit our estates on Neighbourhood Walkabouts.
“I am really pleased that MDH was able to organise such a full range of activity in support of ASB Awareness Week. Working with other agencies, we were able to show that we are here to help and that we will listen if someone comes to us to report any issues"
During ASB week, MDH’s revised ASB policy was approved by Cabinet and has now been launched on the Mid Devon District Council website. The revised policy went through consultation with tenants and partner agencies, and sets out our approach. In line with guidance from the Housing Ombudsman, neighbour disputes and everyday living noise will not now be treated as ASB, instead, Neighbourhood Officers will be providing advice to tenants experiencing these issues on what they can do themselves in an effort to resolve any concerns. Domestic Abuse and Harassment are now included within the ASB Policy providing an opportunity to tenants to see the procedures for dealing with these serious issues in one place, alongside other relevant guidance.
Any tenant experiencing ASB should in the first instance use the ASB Toolkit which provides easy to read advice on what can be done: Anti-social Behaviour Toolkit - MIDDEVON.GOV.UK
You can report ASB to us on our website: Contact us about housing - MIDDEVON.GOV.UK, by phoning 01884 255255 or by emailing htenancy@middevon.gov.uk. If you are at immediate risk or danger please call 999.
Mid Devon Housing (MDH) joined a national campaign which ran from 3rd - 9th July to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB). The aim was to encourage 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 partnerships take place which started with a multi-agency Street Surgery in Cullompton with Devon & Cornwall Police and Victim Support, offering help and advice to residents of Mid Devon.
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 an ASB newsletter special. 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 here:
Mid DevonHousing NewsMDH 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, a Neighbourhood Officer, the Police, Street Scene and local Councillors undertook an inspection on one of our estates in Tiverton. This was in addition to our regular programme of Neighbourhood Walkabouts which take place twice yearly, allowing tenants to address concerns within their communities and also to speak directly to their Neighbourhood Officer.
Councillor Clist: Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Housing & Property Services.
“MDH’s proactive approach to ASB and the partnership working that takes place in support of this, is crucial in order to combat ASB. This approach was recognised when our Neighbourhood Officers won the Resolve ASB Team of the Year Award earlier this year.
"We recognise that it can take a lot of courage to report an issue involving ASB; however, we give tenants the opportunity to have a friendly discussion with our Neighbourhood Officers, when we visit our estates on Neighbourhood Walkabouts.
“I am really pleased that MDH was able to organise such a full range of activity in support of ASB Awareness Week. Working with other agencies, we were able to show that we are here to help and that we will listen if someone comes to us to report any issues"
During ASB week, MDH’s revised ASB policy was approved by Cabinet and has now been launched on the Mid Devon District Council website. The revised policy went through consultation with tenants and partner agencies, and sets out our approach. In line with guidance from the Housing Ombudsman, neighbour disputes and everyday living noise will not now be treated as ASB, instead, Neighbourhood Officers will be providing advice to tenants experiencing these issues on what they can do themselves in an effort to resolve any concerns. Domestic Abuse and Harassment are now included within the ASB Policy providing an opportunity to tenants to see the procedures for dealing with these serious issues in one place, alongside other relevant guidance.
Any tenant experiencing ASB should in the first instance use the ASB Toolkit which provides easy to read advice on what can be done: Anti-social Behaviour Toolkit - MIDDEVON.GOV.UK
You can report ASB to us on our website: Contact us about housing - MIDDEVON.GOV.UK, by phoning 01884 255255 or by emailing htenancy@middevon.gov.uk. If you are at immediate risk or danger please call 999.