FCHO announces new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in the communities

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has announced new measures to improve how it tackles anti-social behaviour in its communities.

The housing association has appointed a new community safety manager Louise Dean and set up a Respect Line where customers can telephone to report ASB. 

Ms Dean will lead five ASB officers and further build partnership working with Oldham Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as FCHO continues to focus on tackling ASB. 

She joined FCHO in January from national housing provider Anchor. “More than 90 per cent of ASB complaints can be dealt with informally without legal action and this is our preferred approach, but we stand ready to use all the considerable levers available to us if problems persist,” she explained. 

“This could mean acceptable behaviour contracts, tenancy warning letters then injunctions, notices to seek possession, injunctions with power of arrest and even closure orders working in partnerships with the police and council. 

“At all times we look to be even handed and proportionate, but customers affected by ASB need to have confidence they will see effective enforcement action when they come to us for help and building that confidence is a big part of my role.” 

FCHO has issued more than 25 notices to seek possession of customers’ homes following alleged criminality like drug dealing and violence uncovered by GMP’s Operation Vulcan crime crackdown Derker. 

The new Respect Line has been installed following feedback from customers. It went active last month and has been used already with FCHO’s ASB team responding to those calls. 

Ms Dean said: “The Respect Line is another way for FCHO to ensure we can respond effectively to ASB in a way that customers have told us they want to see." 

She added: “Only a tiny minority of our tenants ever commit ASB or criminal behaviour, but the effect is often very distressing to those who suffer it. We understand that and we will do all we can to tackle ASB when it is reported. We are working across all our neighbourhoods everyday to tackle ASB when it occurs.” 

The housing association has also ordered new noise monitoring equipment and will work with Oldham Council on tackling noise nuisance. FCHO is now able to collect evidence ahead of the authority’s environmental health offices looking to take action. 

FCHO customers can report ASB via the Respect Line on 0161 393 7117.