February is finally here – and so is your weekly ASB update!
In this weeks edition:
- ASB In The News
- Neighbourhood Policing Funding Announcement
- National Hub Announced For Combatting VAWG
- Children’s Commissioner Report Into Children’s Involvement in 2024 Riots
- Children’s Mental Health Week
- Helpful Resources from MSB Solicitors & Brabners
- In Person Level 2 Training – Limited Spaces Remaining
- Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
ASB In The News
This week’s headlines highlight the long-term impact of ASB on communities, targeted enforcement action, and new initiatives aimed at tackling persistent issues. From closure orders and dispersal powers to wider campaigns addressing ASB hotspots, the focus remains on both reactive and preventative approaches.
Community Impact – The BBC article sheds light on a couple in Birmingham who have endured ASB for over a decade, demonstrating the lasting effect persistent issues can have on victims.
Enforcement in Action – Closure orders have been secured in Cheshire, dispersal orders issued in Lancashire, and arrests made in Hartlepool as authorities crack down on ongoing ASB concerns.
Strategic Approaches – A new campaign has been launched in Thames Valley to tackle ASB, while Cornwall and Wrexham police have implemented targeted operations to address rising incidents and reassure communities.
These stories continue to show the varied challenges of tackling ASB from persistent, long-standing cases to the importance of proactive policing and multi-agency responses.
- Birmingham – Couple plagued by ASB for over a decade featured in a BBC article – Read Now
- Cheshire – Closure orders secured by Blacon Beat Team – Read Now
- Cornwall – Late evening ASB in Cornwall town being focussed on for community safety – Read Now
- Lancashire – Bolton area issued with a dispersal order following increased ASB reports. Read Now
- Thames Valley – New campaign launched to tackle rising issue of ASB. Read Now
- Wales – An operation to crack down on ASB put in place across Wrexham in response to an increasing number of incidents. Read Now
- Hartlepool – Arrests made as Hartlepool Police ramp up action against violence and ASB suspects. Read Now
Neighbourhood Policing Funding Announcement
This week, the government announced a significant increase in funding for neighbourhood policing, doubling the original £100 million commitment to £200 million. The funding aims to support the recruitment of 13,000 additional officers by 2029, focusing on improving visibility in communities and tackling issues like ASB, theft, and violent crime.
For ASB professionals, this investment could signal a shift towards stronger local partnerships and more proactive problem-solving. The promise of a named, contactable officer for every neighbourhood suggests a greater focus on early intervention and prevention, which could improve engagement with housing providers, local authorities, and community safety teams.
Alongside this funding, the Crime and Policing Bill is expected to introduce new enforcement tools, including Respect Orders to tackle persistent ASB. While this expansion of powers may provide additional options for enforcement, it will be important to see how they integrate with existing approaches.
Of course, the impact of this funding will depend on how quickly forces can recruit and deploy officers, and how effectively they engage with partners to deliver meaningful change. The commitment to new policing standards and a focus on performance improvement could also shape how these additional resources are used.
For organisations looking to understand how these changes might affect their approach to tackling ASB, we are available to provide support, training, and consultancy. Get in touch if you would like to discuss how this investment could influence your local response.
Funding Confirmed for National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection
The government has confirmed funding for a new national policing hub dedicated to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) and wider public protection issues. The centre will provide specialist training, improve investigative approaches, and strengthen a nationally coordinated response to these crimes.
Police chiefs previously declared VAWG a national emergency, calling for a whole-system approach that brings together policing, criminal justice partners, and support services. The new centre will build on existing programmes like Operation Soteria, working alongside the College of Policing, government bodies, and other agencies to drive consistency in how these crimes are prevented and responded to.
Key areas of focus include:
- Specialist Training & Resources – Officers will receive dedicated training, improving how they investigate and handle cases linked to vulnerability.
- Multi-Agency Collaboration – The centre will work across law enforcement, government, and support organisations to develop consistent national standards.
- Victim-Centred Approaches – Ensuring that victims feel supported and confident in reporting, while improving how cases are handled across the criminal justice system.
What This Could Mean for ASB Professionals:
While this initiative is primarily focused on policing responses, it reinforces the growing emphasis on tackling vulnerability-related issues in a more structured, evidence-led way. Many ASB cases intersect with VAWG-related concerns, such as harassment, stalking, domestic abuse spillover, and community-based vulnerability risks.
For ASB professionals, this could lead to:
- Closer collaboration with policing and specialist services: A more standardised national approach may create opportunities for stronger multi-agency responses to ASB cases involving VAWG-related behaviours.
- Enhanced training and resources: As specialist training is rolled out to police forces, there could be implications for ASB teams, particularly in how they assess risk, engage with victims, and develop case management strategies.
- A shift towards prevention and early intervention: The national hub’s focus on preventing these crimes before they escalate aligns with existing ASB strategies, reinforcing the importance of early identification and safeguarding approaches.
This is another step towards ensuring a joined-up response across agencies – as ASB professionals we will need to consider how our own practices align with these national policing priorities.
Children’s Involvement in the 2024 Riots – Key Takeaways for ASB Professionals
The Children’s Commissioner’s inquiry into the 2024 riots highlights key themes relevant to the ASB sector, particularly around youth engagement, trust in policing, and early intervention. The report found that while some young people acted impulsively or out of curiosity, others cited longstanding distrust of police, often linked to prior negative interactions. Notably, online misinformation and extremist influences were not the primary motivators, challenging some early assumptions.
The unrest followed the tragic events in Southport, which deeply affected communities across the country. The fallout from these events, alongside the recent sentencing of the individual responsible, Axel Rudakubana, reinforced the wider societal impact of serious crime and public disorder. The involvement of children as young as 11 in rioting, criminal damage, and violence highlights the urgent need for early intervention to prevent young people from being drawn into large-scale disruption.
For ASB professionals, this report underscores the importance of:
- Building trust with young people to prevent disengagement from authorities.
- Ensuring early intervention strategies are in place to address youth vulnerability before ASB escalates into more serious incidents.
- Strengthening multi-agency collaboration to create more effective, long-term solutions that support young people at risk of involvement in disorder.
This is also an important reminder that meaningful engagement, preventative strategies, and strong partnerships between policing, local authorities (including housing providers), and community groups are essential to reducing the risk of similar events in the future.
Children’s Mental Health Week – Let’s Talk About Early Intervention
Following on from the Children’s Commissioner report and this week being Children’s Mental Health Week, we thought it would be useful to take a closer look at the connection between youth ASB, emotional well-being, and early intervention. The findings from the 2024 riots highlight how a lack of support, instability, and disengagement can lead young people towards riskier behaviours, reinforcing the need for proactive strategies to break the cycle.
In our latest thought leadership piece, parenting coach Rachel Brydon explores how organisations such as housing providers, community safety teams, and frontline professionals can better support families. By strengthening resilience, addressing ASB exposure, and adopting trauma-informed approaches, we can create safer communities and provide young people with the right support at the right time.
Read the full article here
Helpful Resources
MSB Article – Granting Injunctions against ‘newcomers’.
MSB Solicitors have published a helpful article on the recent Supreme Court judgment in Wolverhampton City Council v London Gypsies and Travellers. The piece explores the use of “newcomer injunctions” to prevent unauthorised encampments and considers the balance between protecting landowners’ rights and ensuring fair treatment of Gypsy and Traveller communities.
The article highlights that such injunctions should be a last resort, with local authorities encouraged to consider alternative measures and engage with affected communities before pursuing legal action. This analysis is particularly relevant for social housing and ASB professionals dealing with similar challenges.
You can read the full article here: MSB Solicitors
Brabners have published a thought provoking article exploring the challenges of tackling ASB in social housing and why court reform is essential to making real progress. The piece highlights the delays and barriers landlords face when taking enforcement action and questions whether proposed legislative changes, such as the Renters Reform Bill, will have any real impact without improvements to the court system.
For those working in ASB, the ability to take timely and effective legal action is a persistent challenge, and this article reinforces the ongoing frustrations around court delays and procedural hurdles.
You can read the full article here: Brabners.
Level 2 ASB Case Management Principles – In-Person Training in the New Forest
Date: 27 February 2025
Time: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: New Forest District Council, Lyndhurst
Investment: £199
Managing ASB cases effectively requires the right skills, structure, and confidence. Whether you’re new to ASB or looking to strengthen your approach, this in-person Level 2 ASB Case Management Principles course provides practical, expert-led training in a convenient location outside London.
Hosted at New Forest District Council, Lyndhurst, this training day is designed to ensure best practice case management, helping you to handle cases efficiently, improve outcomes, and apply proven strategies from experienced practitioners.
What You’ll Learn
- The national and local ASB landscape and its relevance to your role
- How to triage reports, assess risk and vulnerability, and work in partnership
- The skills needed to conduct thorough investigations, interview effectively, and gather strong evidence
- How to create and manage action plans while balancing expectations for all parties
- Best practices for closing cases with confidence and ensuring appropriate post-action steps
Accredited Qualification
This Level 2 course, assured by Highfield, provides formal accreditation equivalent to GCSE Level 2. Successful participants will receive a recognised certificate, demonstrating their expertise in ASB case management.
Why This Course?
- Expert-Led Training – Developed from nearly two decades of ASB practitioner experience
- Real-World Application – Practical techniques that can be used immediately
- A Rare Opportunity – A chance to access nationally recognised training outside London
If you’re looking to develop your ASB case management skills, gain accreditation, and apply best practice approaches, this course provides everything you need.
Secure your place today!
Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
This week marks seven months since the Labour government took office, and we are now starting to see new policies taking shape. With announcements on neighbourhood policing, public protection, and ASB enforcement, the focus on visibility, prevention, and multi-agency responses is clear. The £200 million investment in neighbourhood policing and the launch of a national centre for VAWG and public protection reflect wider commitments to strengthening frontline services – but as always, the challenge will be ensuring these policies lead to real, tangible improvements.
Meanwhile, on the ground, enforcement remains a priority, with dispersal orders, closure orders, and targeted operations making headlines again this week. The Children’s Commissioner’s report on the 2024 riots is also an important reminder of the role of early intervention and prevention, particularly when it comes to youth-related ASB and community tensions.
Supporting Those New to ASB & Community Safety…
We are seeing more people joining ASB and Community Safety teams, often from different sectors or with limited prior experience in this field. Taking on this work can be complex and fast-moving, with challenges ranging from case management and partnership working to building confidence in decision-making.
To support this, we offer coaching and mentoring, whether on an informal, ad-hoc basis or as part of a structured training and development programme. If you or your team would benefit from tailored guidance, please get in touch as we are very happy to help.
We know how demanding this work can be, and it’s always great to see people reaching out, sharing ideas, and looking for ways to strengthen their approach. We want to say a big thank you to our guest article contributor Rachel Brydon this week for her insightful piece on Children’s Mental Health which comes at a really pertinent time.
If any of this week’s updates resonate with you, or if you’d like to chat about challenges you’re facing in your role, we’d love to hear from you – just hit reply with your thoughts!
Have a great week,
Janine & Darren