Elmbridge Housing Trust set to receive Best Practice commendation

Thursday 29th September 2011

Elmbridge Housing Trust is set to receive a Best Practice commendation from the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group (SLCNG) for their St. Johns 'the Safe Estate' project which ran earlier this year. The SLCNG Awards are well established and highly valued by social landlords and their partners.

The Trust teamed up with partner agencies on the 20th and 21st May, to help tackle theft by delivering more than 250 specialist marking kits to homes in Walton on Thames. The kits are used to mark items with a unique code or DNA to deter crime and help identify the rightful owners if the marked items are stolen and later recovered.

Officers from the South Walton and Ambleside Safer Neighbourhood Team worked with Elmbridge Housing Trust and the Elmbridge Community Safety Partnership to deliver the 'Selecta DNA Kits' to homes in the St. Johns area of Walton.

Elmbridge Neighbourhood Sergeant Charlotte Chambers said: "The distribution of the marking kits went very well and during the two days we spent in the area we were able to engage with many of the residents and explain how to use the kits.

"The home marking kits were very well received by residents who were very positive about the scheme which will also include using Selecta DNA grease to mark lead and metals sites around the St John's Estate."

Other initiatives included Smart Drive, The Big Tidy which culminated in approximately 50 tonnes of unwanted items being removed from gardens and communal areas; and our first community mediation meeting on St Johns with known perpetrators, their parents and the Youth Justice Service to reduce community tensions. A Youth Café has also been developed by our young involved residents to encourage intergenerational engagement throughout the community.

The Trust has also recently received their ASB accreditation. The ASB Scheme which is managed by Housemark and the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group, recognises the Trust's continuing service improvement in relation to the management of Anti Social Behaviour.

The ASB accreditation scheme is a voluntary process where approval is awarded to a landlord who meets the minimum standards set out under the accreditation scheme. The standards are consistent with regulatory requirements providing both the landlord and the regulator reassurance of compliance. Added value is provided through the promotion of best practice and continuous improvement, with emphasis placed on outcomes and the tenant's experience.

Sharon Mackley, Operations Manager, SLCNG said; "These awards shine a spotlight on the tenants, housing officers, ASB practitioners and their partners who through their dedication and creativity do so much to tackle anti-social behaviour and make communities safer.

By recognising the achievements of individuals, groups and projects that have made a real and sustained difference to an individual or a community during 2010 -11, the awards help raise performance across the sector. The 2011 awards have attracted more entries than ever before and the standard has been very high. The judges had a difficult job in reaching their decision."

Jane Bolton, Managing Director, Elmbridge Housing Trust added; "We are delighted to have been commended for the 'Safe Estate' project which has run on St. Johns for much of this year. We had a great response from residents and also from our partner agencies with each of the activities. This award recognises the hard work which has been carried out across the Trust over the last year and the further improvement of our services."

The certificate of commendation will be presented on 1st November at the St Johns Hotel, Solihull, Birmingham.

Posted by 0 for Elmbridge Housing Trust Ltd.