At Abri, the safety and wellbeing of our customers is our number one priority. We believe our customers have the right to feel safe in their own home. That’s why we’re committed to doing all we can, within our powers, to prevent, investigate, manage, and tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB) and harassment. Following years of work by Abri’s Community Safety team and the Avon and Somerset Police, a three month closure order has been obtained for one of our homes in Bridgwater, putting an end to years of distress for neighbouring residents.
A closure order allows local authorities or the police to quickly close a premise (such as a home) which is being used, or likely to be used, to commit nuisance or disorder; as was the case with this home in Bridgwater.
We were first made aware of the nuisance and disorder taking place at the property in 2016, when those living nearby began submitting reports of ASB. With the home being a middle terrace house in a very populated residential area, those living near our customer had been struggling with the disruption caused by their violence, aggressive behaviour, drug use and criminal damage from the resident and visitors to their home.
As with all reports of ASB, our Community Safety team worked closely with the police, partnering support agencies and those in the surrounding community to tackle the behaviour. Our first port of call was to engage with our customer. This included warning letters, numerous home visits and frequent letters, good neighbour agreements, acceptable behaviour contracts (known as an ‘ABC’), mediation and partnership working. Whilst this was effective for a short period of time, the reports of ASB returned and over the next couple of years, many and various interventions were attempted including a further ABC in May 2021.
Wherever possible, our goal is to help our customers sustain their tenancy. However sometimes, we can be left with no other option but to consider taking legal action against the customer when they continuously demonstrate extreme levels of ASB. This is not a decision we take lightly as it can result in a customer losing their Abri home, but it’s important that we don’t allow the health and safety of our customers and staff to be compromised due to the actions of another.
With over sixty ASB reports relating to the customer over a three month period, it became apparent that stronger action was needed to protect the safety and wellbeing of the Bridgwater community; and in September 2021 the decision was made to submit an Injunction Application. We began working alongside neighbours to collect witness reports in support of our application. These showcased just how much of an impact the ASB had on the community: many referred to stress, anxiety and even fear of staying at the property all together. We also worked with those living close by to set up a mobile app on their phones so that they could record noises from the property. Again, this highlighted just how difficult living alongside the ASB was: within roughly a month 34 recordings were submitted containing shouting, swearing, loud music and banging.
Throughout the process we continued our attempts to engage with the customer, checking on their welfare and signposting to support services, but making contact became increasingly difficult. In March 2023, we had exhausted all available options and made the decision to begin legal proceedings against the customer. In April, the District Judge at Taunton Dean Magistrates Court, satisfied with the evidence we had provided with the help of neighbours, found that the customer was in breach of their Injunction Order. The customer was sentenced to 58 days, suspended for 12 months. Later, on 24 May, the Judge granted an outright Possession Order against the customer and their home meaning that neither the customer nor any visitors could access the home moving forward. Since the order has been obtained, our team have shared the news with neighbours in the area.
Darren Holt, Community Safety Officer at Abri said: “I’m really proud of the result Abri and our partners have achieved for the residents of Bridgwater. The joy in the area after receiving the news was incredible. Some residents were so moved that they cried with joy – they were in tears that this period of distress was now over.”
It’s clear from this example that ASB has a significant impact on local communities; and the time, compassion and care it takes for our team to manage each case cannot be overstated. But whatever it takes, we’re committed to ensuring our customers have a safe place to live. At Abri, we believe that home isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling. It's feeling safe, secure, and happy; and we’re proud that we’ve restored this feeling to the Bridgwater community.