What’s all this then? RSL to help police with their enquiries

Social landlords could take on the day-to-day management of local police services under radical proposals being discussed between the ODPM and the Home Office.

The plan – which would see housing associations and local authorities given the option to take control of police forces on problem estates – is to be piloted by Keystone Housing Association in central London.

It is understood that if the pilot is successful – and if Labour is re-elected – the government would look to roll out the scheme across the country by 2008.

It is unclear how much such a scheme would cost, but the hope is to allow social landlords to build on the success they have had in fighting antisocial behaviour by giving them full responsibility for policing tough estates.

A Home Office source said:

“The idea is simple: social landlords already make up much of the front line in the fight against antisocial behaviour, so why not formalise the relationship by giving them control of policing in the area?”

Home secretary Charles Clarke is understood to be keen to build bridges with the social housing sector after his first speech on housing was poorly received at a dinner in London in February.

John Prescott’s office is believed to be pushing the discussions forward as it would tie in well with the second of the ODPM’s two five-year plans, entitled People, Places, Prosperity, which was published at the Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester in February (HT 4 February, page 7).

Keystone chief executive Bob Dunn said: “It makes sense. Things have been moving in this direction for a while now. After a time, there’s only so much you can do with mediation and acceptable behaviour contracts. Now, we can get out the pepper spray.”

However, some Keystone staff members were more sceptical.

“I don’t like this at all,” said one, who did not want to be named. “We deal with tenants in so many ways. How’s it going to look if I turn up in a uniform and helmet with handcuffs and everything, if it’s just a gas safety inspection? They’re not going to like that at all.”

Local police officers were more welcoming. Superintendent Charles Avery said: “This is long overdue. I’ve seen some of the estates Keystone manages. There’s a reason we don’t patrol there. Best of luck to them.”

Max Sennett, a tenant at Keystone, said the changes would make no difference to his estate: “Around here, Neighbourhood Watch means looking out for the cops. It’s part of the fun.”