News from our partners: STAR Housing shortlisted for national award for work on anti-social behaviour

News from our partners Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing (STAR Housing)

STAR Housing have been shortlisted for Resolve’s national ‘Best Project in Anti-Social Behaviour’ award, for their work on cuckooing and county lines drug dealing in Oswestry.

STAR Housing were first alerted of the worrying rise in drug dealing/use around Oswestry in 2016, after which they learned of one of their properties in particular that was suspected to be involved in cuckooing. Cuckooing is where organised crime gangs take over a property with vulnerable tenants, using fear and often their addiction to drugs to make the tenants conform and allow drug dealing from the property.

STAR Housing is committed to ‘building vibrant communities’ and found that the property in Swan Lane and the anti-social behaviour taking place was severely damaging the community. The decision was then taken to form ‘Operation Whistle’ which was a multi-agency partnership between STAR Housing, West Mercia Police and Shropshire Recovery Partnership to help those with drug addiction treatment and tackle drug dealing and cuckooing.

Housing officer Sam Pugh and West Mercia Police began carrying out joint visits to neighbours who had been suffering from the effects of the drug dealing for some time. Through these visits they learnt of drug paraphernalia being left outside and the late night, noisy visits from their customers. They then served warning letters to the perpetrators, which were all ignored: finally, a closure order was obtained and the inhabitants evicted. Shropshire Recovery Partnership offered help to anyone suffering with drug addiction.

We are so proud of the STAR Housing team at Oswestry for being shortlisted for this national award and helping keep STAR communities vibrant but safe. We are also very grateful for the time and effort of West Mercia Police and the Shropshire Recovery Partnership in helping to tackle a growing problem around the country.

STAR Housing’s Neighbourhood Manager Martin Whitelegg expressed his pride in being shortlisted for such a prestigious award:-

“I am delighted that STAR Housing has been shortlisted for the best project award. This recognises our commitment to work with our partners to deal with the drug problems blighting our communities and the quality of life of our tenants.

The Resolve ASB awards dinner will take place at St Johns Hotel, Solihull, Birmingham on Tuesday 2 April 2019, and will be attended by members of each agency involved and the STAR Housing team responsible for the work.

STAR Housing is an Arms-Length Management Organisation (ALMO) that manages housing stock on behalf of Shropshire Council.

If you would like more information or would like to speak with a member of the team about a problem in your neighbourhood you can email us at enquiries@starhousing.org.uk or visit our website www.starhousing.org.uk