Scheme tackles problem estates

8:06am Saturday 22nd March 2008

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A pioneering scheme to tackling antisocial behaviour in problem estates, which was first trialled in East Finchley, is to be introduced across the country.

Social landlords will be encouraged to take a more active role in combating problems in housing estates.

A pilot scheme on the Grange Estate, in East Finchley, is said to have reduced antisocial behaviour by 60 per cent in two years.

Fal Thakkar, 30, who lives on the Grange Estate, said there had been a tangible difference.

"It is much improved," she said. "A lot of people say it used to be really bad but I haven't seen anything for a while. It's quite peaceful round here."

The crime and disorder reduction partnership put Barnet police and Barnet Homes, which manages the estate on behalf of the council, to work with the community to identify and tackle problems.

It has tried to clamp down on gangs of youths, by finding ways of dispersing them, as well as providing activities for young people.

In 2004 Barnet Homes and the police funded two youth workers, who have set up a youth club on the estate.

Liz Bird, a Barnet Homes youth work manager, said: "Our antisocial behaviour team noted the main problems caused by young people on our estate were causing a disturbance, graffiti, vandalism and fighting.

"By setting up the youth club and having two youth workers based there every week, it has given young people a space which is theirs where they can talk through the issues that affect them and discuss the area they live in."

Also involved in the scheme is East Finchley's police Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) - a small team of police and community support officers which engages with the community.

Discussions with community panels encouraged the SNT to redirect patrols through the estate to allay concerns over antisocial behaviour.

Chief Inspector Ben Bennett, who is in charge of partnerships for Barnet police, said: "Tackling antisocial behaviour is fundamental to the work of the SNTs. We're committed to a range of supportive measures which can engage individuals in changing their own behaviour and reducing the misery antisocial behaviour has on others.

"This may mean arresting offenders but often means identifying the causes of a problem and finding solutions."

The scheme has also been trialled in three other London boroughs and the Government now wants it to be widely used across the UK.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said: "Social landlords must be involved in building better, safer communities."