mhs launches "Wipe it Out" campaign
Chris Simmons otherwise known as Micky
from ‘The Bill’ was the star guest at the unveiling of the mhs
homes ‘Wipe Out Anti Social Behaviour’ campaign.
Chris unveiled a poster campaign to
promote the commitment mhs homes has made to a zero tolerance
approach to anti social behaviour in its homes and
neighbourhoods.
Charles Brangwin, Head of Housing at
mhs homes said, "As the largest landlord in the area we have learnt
over the years that individually it’s very difficult to solve some
problems. In the Medway Towns we are fortunate that anti social
behaviour is at relatively low levels – but even at low levels it
can spoil the lives of those people who live in areas affected by
it. That’s why we were the first landlord in the area to sign up to
RESPECT. We value our close working relationship with our partner
agencies and our residents and know that together we can make a
difference.
Fifty guests were present at the
launch which took place at mhs express the mhs homes customer
contact office in Chatham High Street. These included partner
agency representatives from Kent Police, Medway Mediation, Victim
Support, MeRGe and Medway Council together with local Councillors
and residents of mhs homes who have been working with their
landlord on involvement days, residents panels and the residents
newsletter editorial panel.
Everyone at the ‘Wipe it Out’ launch
received a complimentary tea towel carrying the poster details
which included the ‘Hotline’ number to report any ASB problems.
Chris Simmons said, " I was really happy to be invited along to
unveil what seems to be an excellent idea and really proactive. I
think it’s a really good thing especially as mhs tenants were
involved throughout and were models on the posters. Hopefully it
will help to change the way that some people live."
Paul Clark MP who worked closely with mhs homes when
the organisation signed up to the governments RESPECT agenda was
guest speaker, he said, "The governments RESPECT agenda cannot be
progressed without input from Housing Associations like mhs homes
who have signed up to a very robust style of Housing Management.
The important thing is that none of us can expect to find all of
the solutions to these issues over night. There are no simple
straight forward solutions. It will take real and genuine joined up
working practices over time to deal with the many problems
associated with anti social behaviour."
A great deal of work leading up to the
campaign was carried out to ensure that staff and customers knew
what to expect. Policies and procedures were written, service
standards published, leaflets produced, and detailed information
made available on the website with a web reporting page, and a
dedicated phone line for residents to report incidents of ASB. In
addition PC’s and Police Community Support Officers will join
Housing Officers on their neighbourhood walkabouts to address
residents issues face to face wherever possible.
Kent Police Inspector for Partnerships
and Crime Reduction, Dave Coleman, said, "The launch of the Wipe
Out Anti Social Behaviour campaign demonstrates the commitment of
mhs homes to tackling anti social behaviour. Reducing anti social
behaviour cannot be tackled by the police alone and is a
responsibility shared by all partners working together in the
community to make Medway a safer place to live, work and
socialise."