Anti Social Behaviour
Hackney Gazette
Two weeks ago it was announced that a resident on the Trelawney estate had been removed by an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ABSO). After years of abuse to other residents authorities have used new powers to take action. The order ban’s him from returning to the estate, harassing residents, using abusive and threatening behaviour and stops him from going to places known for drug use. He was also ordered to pay the £3000 in back rent owed to the council.
The introduction of the ABSO’s has been heralded by the government as a real breakthrough in support for communities who suffer from anti social behaviour. Earlier this year I was told by the Home Office Minister Hazel Blears that three ASBO’s had been ordered in Hackney between 1999 and March 2004. I think it’s safe to say that we in Hackney can look around at some of the behaviour going on and decide that a few more ASBO’s are probably required.
The recent Trelawney order is a success due to the excellent work between the council, the police, the residents of the estate and the courts. What is also encouraging about the order is that the resident has been moved into a drug and alcohol treatment programme so he can address his problems. We must look at the problems of anti social behaviour with a wide lens, and the solutions must come from many sources. If we remove a person from an area we must give them somewhere to go and a way of solving the reasons why they were moved, or the problem will surface again. There must be just as much investment in treatment centres as there is in police enforcement. In other parts of London ASBO’s have been brought in only to go un-enforced. When this happens the person receiving the order is empowered, not the community, as it becomes a badge of honour. The last thing we in Hackney are young people or criminal’s activity seeking to be served an ASBO so they can use it as some sort of recognition of their status. Luckily the council, police and the courts in Hackney seem to be avoiding this. By carefully picking who to serve and ensuring that enforcement is done and seen by the community ASBO’s are working. In the case of the Trelawney ASBO they have made it clear that residents can contact the police or estate office at any time if the terms are broken.
The problem’s we face in Hackney cannot always be solved by one agency. Just like the ASBO’s the recent successes against crack houses has come from the council working with the police and local residents. We need to create an atmosphere where residents who feel threaten can tell the authorities with out fear of reprisal or that they will go unheard. Relations between us in Hackney and the Police have improved vastly over the years. ASBO’s, a greater emphasis on community empowerment and treatment of those with addictions will improve these relations, but only if we work together and build trust.
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