Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) - has been awarded a certificate by Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for signing up to the government's Respect Standard for Housing Management.

BHP Officers were invited to reception with the Secretary of State on 5th December 2006. The event was to celebrate all those companies that have signed up to the government's Respect agenda and are taking action to cut out anti social behaviour in the neighbourhoods they manage.

Housing manager, Christian Longdon, said: "BHP will not tolerate anti social behaviour and is committed to taking every possible step to rule it out."

In the last year BHP has worked with its partners to evict four tenants for anti social behaviour, issued five anti social behaviour injunctions, shut down four crack houses, issued two dispersal notices and arranged for four acceptable behaviour contracts to be signed.

Christian said: "BHP has a team of officers who work hard every day to act upon reports of anti social behaviour and take steps to rule it out. We also provide a neighbourhood warden service that responds to incidents on estates and we celebrate our residents who take a stand against anti social behaviour by running an annual awards scheme.

"Our vision is for all our residents to live in communities were they feel safe and are free from crime and the fear of crime."

There are six main areas of the Respect agenda that BHP has signed up to.

1. Accountability, leadership and commitment: BHP agrees to the National Audit Office and the department of Communities and Local Government monitoring the steps it takes to tackle anti social behaviour.
2. Empowering and reassuring residents: BHP is continuously involving residents in setting its priorities for tackling ASB as well as informing residents of its actions.
3. Prevention and early intervention: BHP tackles problems as early as possible and takes preventative measures and has formed partnerships with the police, Brent Council and various other organisations to work together to meet the high expectations of residents.
4. Tailored services for residents and the provision of support for victims and witnesses: BHP is a key member of the Brent Anti-Social Behaviour Action Group and other working forums where measures to tackle anti social behaviour are designed to ensure they meet the requirements of the community. BHP launched its Victim and Witness Support Scheme in the summer of 2006 and details were sent to households and distributed at community events. BHP is also signed up to the National Witness Mobility Scheme.
5. Protecting communities through swift enforcement: In the last year BHP has worked with its partners to evict four tenants for anti social behaviour, issues five anti social behaviour injunctions, shut down four crack houses, issue two dispersal notices and arranged for four anti social behaviour contracts to be signed.
6. Support to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour: BHP has published a Guide to tackling anti social behaviour and this was sent to all residents. BHP also participate in community events to publicise the action it is taking and services available to residents. There are clear policies on dealing with vulnerable tenants. The BHP Neighbourhood Warden Service and confidential after-hours Warden Service hotline provide the visibility and deterrent in our Estates.