Residents of a Tottenham council estate have reported a newfound sense of security after a groundbreaking closure order slashed anti-social behaviour by 97%.
Cordell House, once notorious for drug-related activities and frequent disturbances in communal areas, experienced a remarkable transformation after Haringey Council imposed a three-month closure order in July.
This landmark move by Haringey Housing Services, typically reserved for single properties, restricted access to shared areas and stairwells to residents only, with non-residents loitering in these spaces now facing the threat of arrest and legal action.
One resident who works night shifts said: “I have not seen any anti-social behaviour in the block following the closure order by the council.
“I feel much happier and safer now coming and going from the block.”
Between January and June this year, Cordell House saw 196 reported incidents of anti-social behaviour, many of which were documented on CCTV.
This number plummeted to just five incidents between July and October.
While the order has not been extended due to the significant decrease in anti-social behaviour, the courts will only consider a renewal if the issues resurface.
Councillor Sarah Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, sees this success as a model for tackling anti-social behaviour in Haringey.
She said: “This is a first in Haringey, and to secure such an order, we are demonstrating our commitment to ensuring that our residents feel safe.
“Our approach sends a powerful message about community safety in Haringey and highlights the lengths we will go to achieve it.”
Home Office data reveals that in the year to March, the Met Police recorded 253,389 incidents of anti-social behaviour, averaging 29 incidents per 1,000 people.
The crackdown at Cordell House also aligns with the Government’s broader strategy to reclaim public spaces.
Labour’s manifesto emphasises that anti-social behaviour disproportionately impacts poorer communities and can often escalate into more serious crimes.
The party has pledged to deploy thousands of additional neighbourhood police and community support officers.
It has also committed to stricter penalties for repeat offenders, such as imposing town centre bans and requiring vandals and fly-tippers to participate in community clean-up efforts.
All photo credits: Oliver Halls
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