HOW EXPERT INVESTIGATIONS' PROFESSIONAL WITNESS SERVICE SECURED 4 ASBO'S

Following many anonymous reports of anti social behaviour on a small housing estate in Birmingham, housing officers would visit on a regular basis spending between four and six hours per week in an attempt to witness any of the reports of anti social behaviour. 

Reports included:

• Drug dealing
• Noise nuisance
• Children kicking footballs in communal areas
• Young people intimidating residents and their visitors
• Litter and abandoned and damaged vehicles

Home visits were made to all residents asking if there were problems in the area and asking people to come forward with any help and information.  Without the cooperation of the residents the housing officer decided to contact police to see if any reports had been received from them.  The police confirmed that they had been receiving reports over a number of months and knew who the perpetrators were but were never able to prosecute them because witnesses were too frightened to come forward. 

Meetings were held with Police, Housing Department, Youth Offender Team and Social Services as the perpetrators were young people.  Unfortunately without the cooperation of the residents there was little evidence which would not be enough to take any Court action.

As an alternative measure the perpetrators were asked to sign ABC's, unfortunately all but two refused to sign and those that did breeched them within a couple of hours.

In order to go forward we needed concrete evidence. 

We met with the Expert Investigations' Managing Director David Kearns who visited the site then advised us that in order to get the best evidence they would need to move in a couple using a void property and cover story. 

There were a number to choose from as the estate had a reputation by now and properties, although family homes, were hard to let.  At that point there were six long term void properties.

Within 24 hours Expert Investigations' operatives were moved in; by the evening the property had its windows smashed in and gangs of youths congregated near the property making loud noises. 

All of this was captured on CCTV. 

Expert Investigations stayed at the property for a total of 10 days.  The evidence they provided identified all the target perpetrators causing nuisance and in some cases breaking the law.

We applied to the Courts for 4 ASBO's, Expert Investigations provided witness statements and appeared in Court, along with their CCTV evidence. 

No resident or housing officer had to appear in Court. 

The Association was awarded four ASBO's.  Six months following the ASBO's being awarded residents reported an 80% reduction in nuisance.

Article written and submitted by Sheron Hall, Consilium Housing Consultants Limited
consiliumhousing@btinternet.com
www.consiliumhousingconsultants.co.uk