A bumper weekly update with ASB Awareness Week and much more…
In this weeks edition:
- ASB Awareness Week – Check Out The Full Line Up!
- Bhim Kholi – The devastating consequences of when ASB goes unaddressed
- Renters Reform Bill – Court Readiness?
- New Ethnographic Study – Civil Powers and Policing Practice
- Clarke Willmott Insight – Making The Most of Ground 14
- Associate Insight – Navigating ASB Cases and Equality Act Defences
- Last Chance For June Courses – Get Signed Up
- Green & Burton ASB Associates Attend The International Social Housing Festival
- This Weeks Top Tip
- Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
ASB Awareness Week – Check Out The Full Line Up
We’re just a couple of weeks away from ASB Awareness Week 2025, and our programme of free online events is now live and open for registration.
Running from Monday 30 June, this year’s line-up includes daily sessions led by Green & Burton Associates and guest speakers from across the sector… Covering everything from closure powers and Respect Orders to cinema industry responses and sector-wide roundtables.
Whether you’re working in housing, community safety, policing or support services, these sessions are designed to offer practical insight, shared learning and space for honest conversation.
Explore the full schedule and sign up to the events you are interested in:
Image credit: The Kholi Family
Bhim Kholi - The Serious Consequences of Unaddressed ASB
The sentencing of two teenagers this week for the killing of 80-year-old Bhim Kohli in a Leicestershire park has brought national attention to a case involving repeat incidents of anti-social behaviour in the local area.
Mr Kohli, who had previously experienced harassment and witnessed other ASB incidents in the weeks before his death, was attacked while out walking his dog near his home. The court heard how he was subjected to aggression, racially abusive language, and violence, ultimately resulting in a fatal spinal injury.
This case is a stark example of how persistent anti-social behaviour, if not addressed effectively, can escalate and have devastating consequences. Reports had been made in advance, and questions have since been raised about how early concerns were handled.
For professionals working in ASB and community safety, the case reinforces the importance of taking early reports seriously, maintaining clear records, and ensuring partnership responses are robust and trauma-informed.
Our thoughts are with Mr Kohli’s family and community.
Read The BBC Article Here
Court Readiness and Rental Reform
A new article from The Telegraph this week has sparked fresh debate around the implementation of Labour’s Renters’ Reform Bill – particularly the impact it may have on an already overburdened justice system.
With Section 21 set to be abolished, concerns are mounting that courts will become the default route for landlords seeking possession, yet eviction cases are already facing delays of up to eight months. The government has so far declined to publish its Justice Impact Test, prompting criticism over transparency, accountability, and preparedness.
Commentary from the Law Society, NRLA, and others suggests that without clearer investment and infrastructure planning, tenancy reform may falter not on policy, but on practical delivery.
If you’re involved in housing management or tenancy enforcement then this is worth a read. There is a non paywall version of the Telegraph article available via Yahoo here.
Civil Powers and Policing Practice: A Critical Perspective
A recent ethnographic study published offers a detailed and provocative look into how civil preventive orders and notices, such as injunctions and CPNs – are used in policing practice. Drawing on real-world observations, it explores not just how these tools are applied, but also how frontline officers interpret and navigate the grey areas between prevention, enforcement, and risk.
While some conclusions may prompt debate, the paper is a valuable contribution to the wider conversation about the use of civil powers, offering insight into how these legal mechanisms operate in practice, and what that might mean for fairness, accountability and community outcomes.
It’s well worth a read, whether you work closely with civil orders or are reviewing their use in your organisation.
Making the Most of Ground 14: A Practical Guide for Social Landlords
Clarke Willmott have shared a helpful breakdown of Ground 14 – a discretionary but often overlooked ground for possession that can play a key role in tackling tenancy breaches and anti-social behaviour.
The article sets out how Ground 14 can be used alongside other grounds to build a stronger case, explains the flexibility of its two-limb structure, and highlights how the immediate notice period can support swift enforcement where needed.
This is a useful resource for ASB and housing professionals looking to ensure all available tools are being used effectively.
Associate Insight - Navigating ASB Cases and Equality Act Defences
Possession proceedings involving disabled tenants can be legally and ethically complex – and a recent High Court judgment has made that clearer than ever. Associate Aisha Akhtar, Senior Legal Counsel at SNG, has created this useful insight to share exclusively with Green & Burton Associates audience which breaks down what the Thiam v Richmond Housing Partnership case means for social landlords and shares her top tips for handling Equality Act defences with care and confidence.
From conducting a meaningful proportionality assessment to avoiding a tick-box approach, Aisha outlines what landlords need to consider before taking legal action – and why documentation is everything. Read the article here.
Last Chance to Book – June Training Courses
Our next two popular training sessions are taking place on Thursday 20th June, and this is your final call to secure a place!
Whether you’re looking to better handle neighbour disputes or sharpen your response to non-ASB noise reports, these half-day courses are packed with practical tools and fresh insight… and ideal to attend as a pair.
Morning Session
Effectively Managing Neighbour Disputes
Date: Thursday 20 June
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Online
Price: £99
Enrol Here
Afternoon Session
Effectively Managing Non-ASB Noise Reports
Date: Thursday 20 June
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Online
Price: £99
Enrol Here
Both sessions are delivered by experienced practitioner Katy Anderson and align with the latest guidance from the Housing Ombudsman. Perfect for housing, local authority and police professionals working in ASB or neighbourhood roles.
Spaces are limited – book now to secure your place.
Green & Burton ASB Associates Attend The International Social Housing Festival
Partner Darren & associate Cathy attended the International Social Housing Festival in Dublin last week. It was a great opportunity to meet with Housing professionals from across the globe to share their knowledge, understand their roles and learn more about the challenges that they face.
As part of this event, we visited the St. Michael’s Estate in Inchicore and spoke to local people about regeneration, social housing provision and community safety issues in their area. This was a really useful visit with lots of learnings that we can use as key takeaways to support organisations in the future.
This Weeks Top Tip – Involve Landlords Early!
Fresh from a powerful example of partnership working in Anfield and Toxteth…
David Whalley, QPM – the ASB & Welfare Manager at Liverpool City Council, recently shared how early and constructive engagement with landlords helped turn two high-harm properties around – not just with enforcement, but with long-term change in mind.
Here’s his top tip:
“Getting landlords on board early is key. Offer support, legal advice and a clear plan. It’s not about blame… it’s about working together to regain control and build a safer, more stable community.”
In both cases, landlords provided supporting statements, took steps to improve their properties, and have remained engaged post-closure – a strong reminder that early buy-in creates lasting impact.
Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
It’s been another busy week behind the scenes here at Green & Burton Associates, with no shortage of developments across the ASB landscape to track and digest.
We’ve seen a heavy stream of headlines, powerful case outcomes, and a growing number of sector queries landing in the inbox… all reflecting just how fast-moving the world of ASB and community safety continues to be.
Amongst it all, Janine has stepped into an exciting new role as a Specialist Member of the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) – a brilliant opportunity to bring her front-line insight and legal expertise into a wider decision-making context. Don’t worry… she’s still firmly part of the G&B team!
Darren’s been deep in planning mode too, with final preparations underway for this year’s ASB Awareness Week events (just a few weeks to go now), and both have been hard at work on the #ASB11 Conference. General tickets go on sale this week, and we’ll be kicking off our Conference Countdown activity very soon across LinkedIn and email… expect insights, behind-the-scenes prep and more from our sponsors.
Speaking of LinkedIn… are you following us there yet? Our page is the go-to spot for exclusive content, including our ASB in the News digest and a Weekly Regulatory Round-Up. If you haven’t already, make sure you’re connected to stay in the loop. You can follow the page by clicking here.
As always, if your organisation could use a sounding board, a second opinion, or practical support on ASB or community safety, don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re here to help.
See you next week.