‘Yob’s tsar’ is full of respect
Reporter: RICHARD HOOTON
Date published: 08 December 2008
A GOVERNMENT crime expert has praised the work being done to tackle anti-social behaviour in Hollinwood.
Labour’s crime adviser Louise Casey was at a residents’ meeting at Collier Hill Tenants Hall where it was explained what was being done to stamp out bad behaviour.
She was so impressed with the initiative that she described it as “partnership working at its best.”
Once dubbed Labour’s “yob tsar”, Ms Casey is renowned for being outspoken and gained notoriety three years ago when an expletive-sprinkled speech she gave to senior police officers criticising Downing Street officials was leaked to the press.
She was tasked with leading the Government’s drive to root out disrespect in society.
Speakers at the meeting included officials from Limehurst Village Trust, Oldham Council, police and local street pastors who are all part of Hollinwood and Failsworth’s task force.
Verity Mason, neighbourhood officer at Limehurst Village Trust, part of The Regenda Group, and the task force group’s chairman — described the work being done.
The group meets monthly and its main aim is to target prolific and persistent anti-social behaviour offenders in the area by addressing the ringleaders.
Once this is successful, the larger group is broken down and peer pressure to commit anti-social behaviour taken away from those on the periphery.
Other methods include tenancy enforcement action, civil actions such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and injunctions, arrests and home visits.
Ms Mason said: “While this group is primarily an enforcement group, its work often reaches further than that.
“A clearer understanding of why an individual offends is brought in by other agencies and can often result in a successful reduction of anti-social behaviour. This can only be beneficial to the local community.”
Oldham Council’s neighbourhood manager John Norris said: “Resident feedback about the Taskforce’s progress has been very positive and the multi-agency approach is enabling us to create a more confident and sustainable community.”
