Fighting crime in council neighbourhoods

Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home, and we work closely with the police to stamp out antisocial behaviour.

Shirley

In Shirley, we worked with the police to address an ongoing situation of antisocial behaviour and drug-related activity that had been causing misery for residents in Ridding Close. Together, we successfully obtained a closure order at a property, which makes it an offence for anyone other than those authorised on the court order to enter.

This means that if anyone involved in the antisocial behaviour or drug use returns to the address within three months they will be liable for arrest and prosecution. This has put a stop to the drug related activity and associated problems which had caused distress and intimidation for neighbours.

Often, tenants at the centre of drug and antisocial behaviour issues are themselves the victim, and need our help too. Criminal gangs take over the homes of vulnerable people to use their property to make and deal drugs in what is known as “cuckooing”. Dealers approach vulnerable people who are lonely, isolated, and often already using drugs themselves, and offer free drugs in return for the use of their property.

Golden Grove

This was the situation in Golden Grove, where a vulnerable tenant with addiction issues was being exploited and intimidated by criminals. Neighbours reported antisocial behaviour including noise nuisance, damage to the block and people accessing the flat at all hours during night and day. The tenant had frequent hospital admissions yet was too intimidated to report the situation to the police.

Responding to concerns by neighbours we worked with council colleagues, police, and Society of St James to move the tenant to a safe location in sheltered accommodation while we arranged a permanent home elsewhere in the city. He is now safe and receiving the health support he needs, and peace has been restored to the block.

Central area

Another instance of a vulnerable tenant who had been victimised by drug dealers has resulted in a successful outcome. In this case, the tenant in the central area had been targeted by criminals which resulted in frequent damage to his property and the communal block.

Neighbouring families were living in fear of intimidation and violence. We worked in close partnership with the police to obtain a closure order on the property which permitted only the tenant and named people access. The police carried out regular checks at the flat and anyone not named on the order was removed and arrested. This has put a stop to the cuckooing situation and resolved the antisocial behaviour.

We moved the tenant to another flat some distance away and he has been supported by friends to engage with support services to manage his drinking and start afresh.

How you can help

These isolated instances of criminal activity and cuckooing are not common, but unfortunately do happen. With your help, we can work to keep our neighbourhoods safe so please stay aware, report instances of antisocial behaviour and keep your eyes out for signs of cuckooing.

Report antisocial behaviour and drug related activity by calling 101 or if you don’t want to speak to the police directly, you can call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.