Conference to Tackle Anti-social Behaviour

“Prevention is better than cure when it comes to tackling anti-social behaviour”, a special conference held in Surbiton heard recently.

Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, decided to organise the conference after dealing with anti-social behaviour linked to housing, street gangs and youths on buses over the last 12 months.

After consulting with the police and council, he brought together social landlords, young people, police officers, council officers and councillors and they debated how best to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The "Pro-social Behaviour Conference" was the first of its kind, and helped spark a range of new ideas and best practice ideas, which Edward Davey now plans to take forward working with a range of agencies and people.

Over 50 people attended the morning conference to debate issues around anti-social behaviour and housing, and some anti-social behaviour associated with abuse of the new Free Travel for under 18s.

On housing, new ideas included better co-ordination between the various housing associations, the council and the police - as problems often slip between the net - and a carpet recycling scheme, to lessen the problem caused by noise nuisance in properties with poor sound insulation.

On issues involving young people, the discussions were led by Kingston's Youth Member of Parliament Paul Kenny along with members of Kingston’s Youth Council who came up with some fresh thinking. The best ideas were put forward by one Kingston Youth Council Member, Albert Simango, who suggested:

 (1) a "top up" Oyster Card to replace an annual card, with schools and colleges issuing the "top up" credits for free travel, so they could ensure free travel was linked to attending school and good behaviour

 (2) stopping free travel on weekdays between 9.30 am until 3.30pm, as young people should be in a school or college during these hours

The police explained how Kingston would soon get a new team of police focused solely on public transport in the Borough - a sort of "Travel Safer Neighbourhood Team - and Serjeant James Ellis talked about the award winning "CoP" card local police have devised in Chessington which has cut crime, engaged young people and will now be rolled out across London.

Commenting after the Conference, Edward Davey said:

“This was one of the liveliest, most ideas-packed conferences I've ever been too. I'm convinced the discussions we've had can lead to practical improvements across Kingston to help us as we work to reduce and prevent anti-social behaviour.

"We can cut anti-social behaviour in Kingston and beyond - but if we rely simply on ASBOs, we will miss a whole range of policies that are far more successful. Whether it's setting up new-style youth projects with excellent community police, or carpet recycling or thinking more intelligently about how to provide cheaper but safer transport, I was deeply impressed by the practical ideas of local officers and young people.

"I will now be taking some of these ideas forward with everyone from Transport for London to local housing associations. I am really grateful for everyone who came and contributed to this brainstorming conference." 
 
Attendees:
Several delegates from 12 Housing Associations attended
15 members of the Kingston Youth Council Attended
6 Council officers from Royal Borough of Kingston
3 Councillors
1 Housing & Anti-social behaviour lawyer
4 Police Officers