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Not Reinventing the Wheel... A Directory of Current Practice in Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour by Scottish Local Authorities
3 Specialist Teams
More and more Scottish local authorities are creating specialist teams to combat anti-social behaviour by developing expertise in evidence gathering and acting as professional witnesses in court and also to support complainants and witnesses through the process. For authorities without the need or resources for a specialist team an option is to buy in this expertise from a neighbouring authority for extreme or time-consuming cases. All the undernoted models operate slightly differently (see also sections 4 and section 5).
Good Practice Model | Authority | Key Player |
Housing Investigation Team (HIT) has successfully used professional witness evidence only to obtain a decree for eviction. Unlike other teams it does not engage with perpetrators. Membership includes a solicitor and two police officers are to be seconded to the team, one to work out of an area office in an office with multiple problems. | Edinburgh | Julia Kennedy
Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy Manager
0131 529 7212
mailto:julia.kennedy@edinburgh.gov.uk |
Neighbour Complaints Unit (NCU) has strong links with local police, including training scheme for new recruits. Grew out of, and now operates out-of-hours helpline and will act as a professional witness. | Aberdeen | Raymond Barnett
Neighbour Complaints Unit Manager
01224 523 300
rbarnett@housing.aberdeen.net.uk |
Anti-Social Investigations Team (ASI'ST) is the first specialist team and model for others and has Chartermark status. It was also the first team to utilise video evidence in court and uses comprehensive operational procedures. As well as investigation and enforcement it co-ordinates mediation service. ( See section 14). | Renfrewshire | Bryan Healy
ASI'ST and Mediation Manager
01505 325 030
bryan.healy@renfrewshire.gov.uk |
Neighbour Disputes Team. Originally a centralised unit, specialist staff are now dispersed in local offices. Available for call-out via 24-hour helpline and will act as professional witnesses. | East Ayrshire | John Pilkington
Best Value Officer
01563 576 616
John.Pilkington@east-ayrshire.gov.uk |
Anti-social and support team (ASIST). Investigation and enforcement plus co-ordination of mediation service ( see section 14), and Neighbourhood Liaison Officers ( see section 16). Emphasises support responses. | West Dunbartonshire | Martin McKendrick
Assistant Team Leader
01389-608 999
martin.mckendrick@westdunbarton.gov.uk |
The Housing Investigation Team (HIT) began in 1995. Seven officers. Main role is investigation of serious cases of anti-social behaviour or those which are time-consuming and/or where corroboration is difficult. Have achieved over 50 ASBOs. | Fife | Fiona Alder
Housing Investigations Officer
01592-414 233
fiona.alder@fife.gov.uk |
Falkirk Investigation, Response and Support Team (FIRST). First Scottish Team to second a serving police officer (bringing normal police powers). Strong on preventing youth disorder escalating. Introduced ABCs ( see sections 11 and section 12). | Falkirk | Natalie Moore-Young
Conflict Resolution Manager
01324 503698
natalie.mooreyoung@falkirk.gov.uk |
Anti-Social Task Force (ASTF) has won COSLA Gold Excellence award and UK Housing Award for outstanding achievement in social housing. Unlike most teams it takes direct calls from the public (all tenures). Strong links with the police. Co-ordinates mediation service ( see section 14). | North Lanarkshire | Matt Costello
Principal Investigation Officer
01236 622 500
CostelloM@northlan.gov.uk |
There are also a number of recently introduced teams:
Neighbourhood Relations Team to be introduced in August 2003 with three staff initially. | West Lothian | Donna Matthewson
Quality Assurance Officer
01506 777316
donna.matthewson@westlothian.gov.uk |
Clackmannanshire Liaison and Mediation Team (CALM) Specialist team to investigate complex cases. Standby team operates 7 days a week on a 24-hour basis (10 officers) and also co-ordinates Mediation Services. | Clackmannanshire | Lawrence Hunter
Service Manager, Housing Management
01259 425621
lhunter@clacks.gov.uk |
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