One Vision Housing
Neighbourhoods - Day of Action (Kensington, Liverpool)
June 2023 - June 2024
Background information
The area of Kensington, Liverpool is home to around 15,000 people. Its issues with crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) are well known throughout the city with the key thoroughfare of Sheil Road referred to as a red light area by Merseyside Police. Kensington suffers with high levels of deprivation. Most of the ward is in the top 5% of the most deprived parts of the country, some areas are in the top 1%.
As part of One Vision Housing's commitment to creating opportunities and changing lives for residents in their communities, they partnered with local agencies to create a multi-faceted approach to significantly improve the local area by combining community engagement, strategic enforcement, and environmental modifications.
Our approach
In June 2023, One Vision Housing's Kensington Neighbourhood Community Safety Officer (CSO) Bill Merritt and the Neighbourhood Services Officer (NSO) Carole Flynn organised a Day of Action in Radstock Road, Hampstead Road, Huntley Road and Sheil Road.
As part of the Day of Action, they collaborated with Merseyside Police to address resident concerns by facilitating fly-tipping removal, skip placement for future waste management, a comprehensive litter pick, resident surveys on ASB, and joint engagement with police and fire services.
This intervention marked the beginning of a year-long initiative by One Vision Housing in partnership with Merseyside Police. The strategy involved:
Strategic CCTV installation: Cameras were installed in problem areas to deter criminal activity and enhance security.
Eviction of chronic offenders: Utilising closure orders and evictions, the initiative successfully removed perpetrators of ASB and criminal behaviour, leading to a direct improvement in the neighbourhood.
Environmental adjustments: To further improve safety and reduce hiding places, access to troublesome cellars was restricted. Additionally, overgrown bushes and trees that facilitated criminal activity were removed, while new bushes were strategically planted to enhance security in other areas.
Ongoing monitoring: Regular patrols ensured prompt identification and management of any emerging neighbourhood challenges.
Outcomes
Following the year-long initiative to improve the area, OVH visited Kensington again in June 2024 for another Day of Action. This year's event saw increased resident participation in litter picking and fly-tipping removal, reflecting a decrease in both issues compared to the previous year.
Collaboration was a key theme, with participation from Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police, Registered Providers (Prima Group, Onward Housing, Riverside Housing), Liverpool Community Safety Team, and Sovini Property Services Clearance Team. Notably, a senior manager from another Registered Provider acknowledged the effectiveness of One Vision Housing's ASB warning card system (yellow, red, and green card - for marijuana), adopting it as best practice.
Resident feedback during the Day of Action was overwhelmingly positive. They acknowledged a significant improvement in the area over the past year, citing reduced ASB and a stronger sense of community. Neighbourhood Services Team Leader Julie Askey echoed this sentiment, highlighting the noticeable decrease in activity compared to the previous year. These improvements, both big and small, have had a significant impact on resident safety and well-being.
Looking forward
We will continue to track our progress going forward by:
- Reviewing everyday management in this area as we have done successfully over the past year.
- Continuing to offer our customers bespoke support to meet their individual needs.
- Measuring and comparing 2023/24 and 2024/25 results for ‘turnover/sustainability’, Rent Collection, ASB & Customer Satisfaction (Tenant Satisfaction Measures).
What our customers said
“The street has improved massively, there was a huge drug problem in the area which encouraged sex workers, although there is still one or two people still frequenting the street the situation has improved greatly”. - Billy
“The street is a lot quieter and safer than it has been in years”. - Max
“I feel safer knowing cameras have been installed. There has been a noticeable difference in the area”. - Stella
"I no longer witness ASB, and I'm now much happier in my flat." - Habashi