Call for tougher action against anti social behaviour

A report calling for tougher action on anti-social behaviour has
been launched at the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru’s
annual conference.

‘The Law – An adequate response to anti social
behaviour? A social housing perspective’ emphasises that
tackling anti-social behaviour is a shared responsibility with
social landlords playing a key role.

The report is based on results from a questionnaire of all Welsh
social landlords and interviews with tenants. It concludes by
recognising the role that legal action has to play in dealing with
anti-social behaviour, but stresses the importance of prevention
and early intervention.

Rhian Thomas, CIH Cymru policy officer and author of the report,
said: “Anti-social behaviour affects everyone, both landlords and
tenants. It destroys lives and shatters communities, it is vital we
find effective ways of dealing with this problem.”

* The Chartered Institute of Housing in Wales relaunched earlier
this week as the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru at the annual
conference in Swansea.

Keith Edwards, CIH Cymru director, said: “The change in name was
important to reflect the process of devolution, and to reaffirm our
continuing commitment to housing in Wales.”

During the conference CIH president Brian Griffiths emphasised
the CIH’s support at national level for devolution, which
included the setting up of a Welsh board to consider policy issues
affecting housing professionals in Wales.