Plans to tackle anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse welcomed

New guidance introduced this month by the Welsh Government mandating all social housing providers in Wales to put in place anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse policies to protect both tenants and staff, has been backed by Swansea AM Mike Hedges.

The new policy, which follows on from a statement made last May by Housing Minister Carl Sargeant outing the importance of the housing sector taking responsibility, will now see Wales leading the way as the only country in the UK taking progressive action in this areas to combat both anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse.

Under the new guidance, housing associations that fail to produce and implement anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse protection policies risk seeing their funding cut by the Welsh Government.

Welcoming the new policy, Labour AM for Swansea East Mike Hedges said:

“Anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse are sadly still serious issues for families, neighbourhoods and communities across Wales, which is why more action is needed  so that we can work towards ending such behaviour.

“Although competence to effectively tackle these issues isn’t fully devolved to the Assembly, I applaud the Welsh Government for taking decisive action through their housing powers so that tenants in Wales have better protection should they ever be unfortunate enough to experience domestic abuse or anti-social behaviour.”