Your weekly update on all things affecting those working in ASB and community safety…
In This Week’s Edition:
- Understanding the Drivers of Serious Youth Violence
- Crime & Policing Bill – Cuckooing & Child Criminal Exploitation
- Free Webinar – County Lines & Child Criminal Exploitation
- Decriminalising Homelessness
- The Spending Review Summary
- Clarke Willmott Insight – Statements Of Truth
- New Open Access Textbook On Violence
- Top Tip From Aisha Akhtar
- Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
Understanding the Drivers of Serious Youth Violence
Samantha Walker, Rebecca Oswald, and Sarah Soppitt have published new research in SAGE Journals, exploring the role of ‘place’ in shaping serious youth violence (SYV). The study examines how identity, territorialism, and community influence young people’s involvement in SYV, particularly in the North East of England. It also highlights how socio-economic factors and the digital landscape contribute to the rise in SYV. This is a key piece for anyone wanting to understand the complex drivers behind youth violence and the role of physical and virtual communities.
New Factsheet on Child Criminal Exploitation and Cuckooing in the Crime and Policing Bill
A new factsheet has been published alongside the Crime and Policing Bill, outlining key measures aimed at addressing child criminal exploitation (CCE) and the issue of cuckooing.
Key Updates Include:
- Child Criminal Exploitation: The bill introduces a new offence of child criminal exploitation and civil orders designed to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable children at an earlier stage.
- Cuckooing: Cuckooing, where criminal gangs take over vulnerable people’s homes to carry out illegal activity, is now recognised as a distinct offence. This new measure will enable quicker law enforcement intervention to protect victims.
- Improved Multi-Agency Coordination: The bill’s focus on early intervention and better partnership working will help formalise multi-agency responses to cases that have previously fallen between the cracks of criminal and civil enforcement.
This new factsheet highlights the steps being taken to provide enhanced protection for vulnerable individuals, improve early intervention efforts, and strengthen the powers of law enforcement to combat organised crime.
Free Webinar: County Lines and Child Criminal Exploitation – The Impact of Neurodiversity
The National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) is hosting a free webinar on the critical link between neurodiversity and child criminal exploitation (CCE), specifically in the context of County Lines.
Key Details:
- Date & Time: Monday, June 23,2025. 1:30 – 2:30pm
- Location: Online
- Target Audience: This session is aimed at professionals who want to improve their understanding of neurodiversity and its impact on young people at risk of exploitation.
- Topics Covered:
- Introduction to neurodiversity and why neurodivergent young people may be more vulnerable to exploitation.
- Proven tools and techniques to improve engagement with neurodivergent individuals.
- The importance of partnership working to address these challenges.
This webinar offers valuable insights for professionals working in safeguarding, youth justice, education, and social care, equipping them with the knowledge to better support neurodiverse young people at risk of criminal exploitation.
Register Now for your free place: County Lines and CCE Webinar
Rough Sleeping to Be Decriminalised
The government has announced that the Vagrancy Act 1824 will be repealed by spring 2026, formally ending the criminalisation of rough sleeping in England and Wales.
While the Act has long been criticised for penalising people experiencing homelessness, its repeal forms part of a wider shift towards a support-led approach. New provisions are expected to focus on behaviour such as aggressive begging or harassment, while aiming to direct vulnerable individuals to help and housing pathways.
For those working across housing, enforcement and local authority roles, this change may require a review of current processes and protocols – particularly where Vagrancy Act powers have previously been used. Further detail on alternative tools and expectations is due ahead of implementation.
Image credit: Shutterstock (used under license)
Spending Review: Signals for Housing and Community Safety
The government’s latest Spending Review sets the tone for the next few years, with some significant changes proposed that will impact our sectors
Key headlines include:
- Funding for the Affordable Homes Programme continues, with a long-term commitment of £39 billion
- £2.3 billion allocated for homelessness prevention over the next four years
- A real-terms increase in police budgets, but no new pledges on officer numbers
Organisations across housing, ASB and community safety will want to keep a close eye on how this translates into local budgets and operational capacity. Transparency, coordination, and proactive planning are going to be key.
The Importance of Statements of Truth: New Insight from Clarke Willmott Solicitors
Clarke Willmott Solicitors have shared an insightful article highlighting the importance of Statements of Truth in legal proceedings. Almost every document presented in court, from witness statements to claim forms, requires a signed Statement of Truth, which serves as a declaration that the facts within the document are true to the best of your knowledge.
The article outlines the potential consequences of signing a false Statement of Truth, including the serious legal repercussions of contempt of court, which can result in fines or even a prison sentence. It also provides key considerations for anyone being asked to sign such a statement, ensuring that they fully understand the implications of their signature.
This is an essential read for anyone involved in legal proceedings or regularly asked to provide statements in court, offering practical advice on how to protect yourself and your case.
Read the full article here: Honesty is always the best policy – the importance of Statements of Truth
Open Access Textbook: Preventing Violence – The Public Health Approach
A new open access textbook, Preventing Violence: The Past, Present and Future of the Public Health Approach, has been published by Bristol University Press. Authored by Keir Irwin-Rogers, Luke Billingham, Alistair Fraser, Fern Gillon, Susan McVie, and Tim Newburn, this book explores how we can work towards safer and healthier societies by adopting holistic, public health-driven approaches to violence prevention.
Key Insights:
- The book outlines a comprehensive framework for preventing violence, with a focus on the lives of children and young people.
- It offers clear recommendations for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers who are dedicated to making meaningful changes in their communities and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.
- A valuable resource for anyone working in public health, social care, education, or law enforcement.
This textbook is freely accessible, making it a great resource for those in the field of violence prevention.
Access the full textbook here: Preventing Violence – Open Access
This Week’s Top Tip: How Confident Are You When It Comes to Equality Act Defences?
Possession cases involving tenants with disabilities require care, clarity and thorough documentation. This week, we’re sharing essential advice from associate Aisha Akhtar, on what to consider when there’s a potential Equality Act defence.
Aisha’s checklist for getting it right:
- Carry out an Equality Act justification exercise and document your reasons for legal action. This is not a tick box – consider carefully whether there is a protected characteristic like disability.
- Ask yourself: is the possession action proportionate? Consider responses such as “our aim is to keep other residents safe,” “earlier intervention tools failed,” “non-engagement,” or “serious ASB requiring police involvement.”
- Explore alternatives to eviction, such as injunctions.
- Record the outcome of any early interventions.
- Check your systems: pre-tenancy history, any records of disability, including mental health conditions. What information do you already have?
- Have you offered support to the person if there’s an underlying condition? Make sure it’s clearly documented.
- Can you obtain information from third parties?
- Speak to other relevant teams – don’t work in a silo. For example, check in with your income or repairs teams.
- Consider writing to the person involved and giving them the opportunity to share any personal circumstances they’d like you to consider.
- Ask: is there a link between the behaviour and a possible disability? Seek external medical advice if needed.
- Upon receipt of further information, re-review the decision and document this. The duty is ongoing and you may change your position on court action.
- Take the Equality Act 2010 seriously – this isn’t just about compliance, it’s about fairness and risk management.
- Follow your internal policies – they’re there to guide you.
- And finally, remember the Housing Ombudsman guidance: if it’s not written down, it didn’t happen. So: document, document, document.
Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
This week’s updates have inadvertently come together as theme – shining a spotlight on youth, vulnerability and violence – and the powerful role our work can play in preventing harm before it escalates.
Whether it’s understanding the drivers behind serious youth violence, or recognising how exploitation can take root in the very communities we’re working to protect, the message is clear: multi-agency collaboration and local insight are vital.
It’s this kind of joined-up thinking that sits at the heart of ASB Awareness Week, which is just around the corner kicking off on Monday 30th June. We have five free events across the week (and a brilliant line-up of speakers from housing, policing and beyond), and we’re really looking forward to connecting with colleagues and continuing to champion a smarter, more collaborative approach to tackling ASB. You can see what’s on and sign up here: greenandburtonasb.co.uk/asb-awareness-week-2025
And if you’re not already following our LinkedIn page, now’s the time. Our ASB Conference countdown starts this week, with exclusive content and updates you won’t find anywhere else.
As ever, we’re here to support your organisation with training, casework or strategy. Just drop us a line if you’d like to chat.
Have a great week,
Janine & Darren