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The use of text messaging to address antisocial behaviour - Orbit South Housing Association 


Released  07 August 2008

Orbit South Housing Association Housing Management Services Inspection

Rating: Fair service | Promising prospects for improvement

Orbit South has made effective use of current technology and the preference of some young people for using texting as a means of communication. Each Housing Officer has their own texting number linked to their computer, which is advertised on notice boards on the estates and given to Resident Associations. The number of texts received shows that residents like to use this service to provide anonymous information about antisocial behaviour (ASB). This enables Housing Officers to access CCTV tapes to see what has occurred at an early stage before things escalate. This has increased the reporting and speed of reporting of ASB which means that problems can be dealt with more speedily.