Agenda item
ASB - Review the effectiveness of partnership response to ASB and the quality of service residents and victims of ASB receive
- Meeting of Online 'Virtual' Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Monday, 25th January, 2021 6.30 p.m. (Item 7.1)
- View the background to item 7.1
A copy of the presentation is attached.
Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation from Councillor Asma Begum (Deputy Mayor & Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Equalities); Ann Corbett (Divisional Director, Community Safety); and Calvin Mclean
(Head of Neighbourhood Operations). In addition, the Chair informed the meeting that Chris Weavers (Chair of Safer Neighbourhood Board – SNB))
was in attendanceto share the Boards perspective on the effectiveness of partnership response and the quality of service. The main points of the discussion maybe summarised as follows:
The Committee:
v Commented that it seemed be confusing for tenants and residents as to who they should report anything causing a nuisance or annoyance e.g. their Registered Social Landlord or the Council?
v Noted that through the Tower Hamlets Housing Forum (THHF) which is a partnership between housing associations (registered providers) and the Council has worked hard to make reporting of ASB as straightforward as possible with an online portal Report anti-social behaviour - Tower Hamlets Homes which has meant Tower Hamlets appears second in the list of London boroughs with the highest rate of reported anti-social behaviour (ASB). With the information the Council and its partners now have there is increased confidence in reporting which in turn encourages others to report ASB and therefore Tower Hamlets is getting an increasing number of reports of ASB e.g. between April and December last year there were 9k incidents of ASB were reported.
v Indicated that they wanted anti-social behaviour tackled and to reduce the harm that it causes. Commented that all residents have the right to feel safe in their homes and the community, including businesses and visitors to the Borough, which is why it is important that reducing anti-social behaviour needs to be a priority for the Council, the Police and for other members of the Tower Hamlets Community Safety Partnership.
v Expressed concern at the apparent use of motor transport to bring people to locations to in the Borough; drift driving and apparently many drivers/passengers are not Tower Hamlets residents? Noted that Tower Hamlets has introduced the Liveable Streets programme which aims to improve the look and feel of public spaces in neighbourhoods across the Borough and to design out issues such as vehicle-borne anti-social behaviour.
v Wanted to know what is being done to address the illegal use of nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effect? Noted that whilst there is currently no penalty for possession nitrous oxide it is such a big issue for residents and features in a lot of residence complaints and around rowdy inconsiderate behaviour. Therefore, there is currently a consultation on the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). The PSPO can be introduced in a specific public area where the Council is satisfied on reasonable grounds that certain conditions have been met e.g. The first test concerns the nature activities that have taken place have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, or it is likely that activities will take place and that they will have a detrimental effect on the area.
v In response to questions noted that as part of the pre-consultation exercise there were discussions with groups of young people and third sector organisations. This was because the Council did not want to have an adverse impact on and to criminalize young people. Accordingly, the Council wanted to make sure that there is a proper support e.g., an education program around the dangers of nitrous oxide. Noted the Council are currently consulting and have so far received approximately 100 responses in the past two weeks as it is a big issue for residents and in accordance with the substance Misuse Strategy as agreed by the Mayor and Cabinet in 2020 it has the key strands of treatment/recovery and regulation/enforcement.
v After questioning officers noted that the SNB is satisfied that the appropriate data sharing arrangements are in place between the Board, Council, Police Services, and other agencies. Noted that in addition to patterns of behaviour certain things drive ASB the night-time economy and transport nodes being two significant features. In addition, there is a direct correlation between the number of licensed premises/restaurants and major Underground/DLR interchanges with the highest incidences of ASB.
v In response to questions noted local concerns regarding and lost police operational time when police officers are withdrawn from duty in Tower Hamlets for the purpose of policing a) demonstrations in Central London and b) requirements to cover security activities in Central London. In response it was noted that whilst the SNB were not informed of every abstraction for every ward as it happens the Board does take a close interest in the levels of abstractions and their impact on policing in the Borough. Noted (i) that the SNB receives regular reports on the patterns/activity and what BCU is doing to try minimise such attractions; (ii) the health and safety issues regarding Airbnb during the pandemic in relation to such properties being used for large scale parties that breach Covid regulations and the need for ensure that all landlords are made aware of their responsibilities and that action will be taken if their property is used in breach of the Covid guidelines.
Finally, the Chair thanked Councillor Asma Begum; Ann Corbett; Calvin Mclean; and Chris Weavers for their presentation and participation in the discussions on this topic.
Supporting documents:
- 25 Jan OSC cover page ASB presentation, item 7.1 PDF 37 KB
- FINAL(2) ASB Spotlight - Overview Scrutiny Committee 25.1.21, item 7.1 PDF 661 KB