Celebrating 10 years of CSAS
We recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) with the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Jane Gardner, Jenny Brouard, CSAS Community Resources co-ordinator, and Inspector Gennery from Essex Police.
In 2006 CHP became the first housing association in the county to be awarded the accreditation and sign an information sharing protocol with Essex Police. Since then the CSAS scheme has grown and now includes local authorities and other housing associations.
Since being accredited, our Quality of Life (QoL) team have used their powers - and shared information with Essex Police - to tackle and reduce a range of antisocial behaviour (ASB) issues such as graffiti, fly-tipping, dog fouling and noise nuisance as well as removing untaxed and abandoned vehicles. In fact, in the last year alone (from March 2015 to March 2016) the QoL team have dealt with over 750 ASB incidents.
Working to identify lawbreaking and ASB, the QoL team has also provided information to Essex Police about hate crimes, domestic violence and drug dealing – which has led to a number of tenants being taken to court and evicted.
Earlier this year, Essex Police’s Intelligence Unit stated: “The team at CHP are very quick to identify where ASB is an indication of something more. Without their information and invaluable local knowledge we would have huge gaps in our intelligence picture.”
Celebrating the milestone moment at the company’s Chelmsford office, Terri Cochrane, QoL manager, said: “Over the years our relationship with Essex Police has continued to go from strength to strength and we‘ve continued to work very closely together to tackle ASB in our communities. Obviously we are delighted to be reaccredited and we hope that our relationship continues for another decade.”
Jane Gardner, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, added: “I’m absolutely delighted to be here to represent the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office today at this 10th anniversary celebration which is a great example of working in partnership. Congratulations to CHP.”
“CHP were the first housing association to be accredited under the scheme and I am very proud to work in partnership with them,” commented Jenny Brouard, CSAS Community Resources co-ordinator. “CHP have always been extremely supportive of Essex Police and continue to work in close partnership with their local policing teams.”