Welsh Government
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Minister outlines plans to tackle anti-social behaviour
In a speech at the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group’s conference in Cardiff the Minister stressed the important role of the individual, and landlords in particular, in combating this problem.
The Minister said:
“Whether intentional or not, anti-social behaviour causes worry, annoyance, alarm and distress. It can ruin people’s lives and communities too, making whole areas feel unsafe.
“In the Housing White Paper the Welsh Government said very clearly that such behaviour is unacceptable and that landlords must take a proactive approach to tackling it.
“The Welsh Government White Paper on legislation to end violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence proposes a duty on key public sector professionals to “ask and act” in relation to anti social behaviour, violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. I cannot over-emphasise the role of housing professionals in this respect.
“The Welsh Government requires local authorities and housing associations to have anti-social behaviour policies in place which include prevention, early intervention and a variety of methods for tackling such behaviour when it arises.
“Our Violence Against Women and Domestic Abuse legislation, in tandem with our Supporting People programme, will also help Wales take significant steps forward in ending violence against women but we must all take responsibility and do what we can to ensure that all anti-social behaviour is identified and dealt with.”
“In addition, earlier this year I published plans to reform arrangements for renting homes in Wales. These proposals include more effective ways of dealing with the anti-social behaviour of some households.
“A ‘prohibited conduct’ clause in tenancy contracts would ban such conduct with any breach triggering the possibility of possession proceedings by the landlord. The proposals would also allow landlords to target eviction action at the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour and domestic violence without ending the tenancy for everyone living in the property.
“Anti-social behaviour is a problem that blights the lives of too many households in Wales. I am determined to do all I can to combat the problem since everyone should be able to enjoy a quiet life in their home.”
