Anti-social behaviour dropped by half in Higginshaw this summer after First Choice Homes Oldham reshaped its ASB Team to mirror the place-based tactics already used by Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Council.

Figures released yesterday show only 17 incidents—arson, vandalism, criminal damage and youths causing nuisance—were logged during July and August, down from 33 in the previous six weeks. The 50% fall has convinced the housing association to extend the same structure across Oldham’s four remaining districts, where early numbers are already “promising”, according to FCHO.

“We’re delighted with the success in Higginshaw because it has allowed us to adopt the existing place-based approach across Oldham and work even more closely with the police and council on ASB issues affecting our customers and their communities,” said Peter Davidson, head of neighbourhood management at FCHO. “There is no doubt that together we are stronger and, right now, our ASB Officers in the five districts are plugged into conversations with our excellent local policing teams, as well as many Oldham Council departments such as Community Safety and Youth Justice to collectively prevent and combat ASB.”

Davidson stressed the landlord will keep using joint powers when needed: last month FCHO, the council and police secured a Closure Order on a Talbot Close property that had become a drug-dealing hotspot. Inspector Nick Derbyshire, from GMP’s Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, said the close partnership is “essential in dealing with and finding long-term solutions to anti-social behaviour on our wards.”

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