Dudley Council planning to introduce new ‘community champions’ to report antisocial behaviour
The measure is included in an ASB policy.
Dudley Council is planning to introduce new ‘community champions’ to report antisocial behaviour (ASB) as part of a crime crackdown.
The measure is included in an ASB policy from the authority which its leaders claim is one of the toughest in the country.
Members of the public will be encouraged to sign up to become community champions but the plan has caused concern for one councillor.
Speaking at the March meeting of the council’s Housing and Assets Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Jackie Cowell likened the idea to the Street Watch programme from West Midlands Police.
Cllr Cowell said: “I’ve raised concerns with people walking around almost with a target on their backs.
“If they are the ones reporting things, and people get to know they are the ones reporting things, that could be quite a risky position for an ordinary member of the public to be involved in.”
The new community champion plan is based on the councils ‘block champions’ who report on their blocks after a walk around inspection and completing a checklist covering grounds maintenance, estate assistance, cleaning and fire safety.
A report for the committee signed by Kathryn Jones, Dudley group director of housing and assets, said: “Plans are in place to roll out wider community champion roles, based on the learning from the block champions, which would enable us to have a wider view of our estates from a tenant perspective and ensure that the information we receive from our tenants is proactively communicated back into the system and dealt with appropriately.
“Recognising and reporting ASB and nuisance will be a key element of these roles.”
Cllr Cowell told the committee the introduction of community champions must be ‘handled very carefully’.
Dudley cabinet member for housing and homelessness, Cllr Ian Bevan, said: “It’s one thing asking members of the public to participate but they won’t replace what is our responsibility.
“If we can get people interested, providing we protect them, they could be quite successful.”
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