I thoroughly agree with Jon Rouse’s comments that registered social landlords need to take a bigger role in crime and disorder partnerships (25 February, page 11).

A multi-agency initiative, involving community safety action zones has really helped turn things around in Bexley in east London.

In the Slade Green area of the borough street robberies have been cut 85%, car crime 29% and 93% of residents now say they feel safe at night.

The change in residents’ perceptions of their area is palpable. Many have said what a difference we have made to their quality of life and we have developed a relationship of real trust within our community.

The Home Office is now using this as a model of good practice for all crime and disorder partnerships around the country.

I would encourage more housing associations to adopt a multi-agency approach to tackling antisocial behaviour and to concentrate more effectively on the issues that really matter to residents.

David Leeves, neighbourhood renewal managerOrbit Bexley Housing Association

David Leeves is this week’s Letter of the Week winner. He will receive a copy of Front to Back, A Design Agenda for Urban Housing published by Elsevier.

Source

Housing Today