Community stepping up; CRASBO: Housing group takes the lead in action.

Byline: Sophie Cross

A COMMUNITY housing group in Solihull has become the first organisation of its kind to secure a Criminal Antisocial Behaviour Order for a local troublemaker.

The landmark case saw Solihull Community Housing, an Arms Length Management Organisation, secure the serving of a CRASBO on 45-year-old

Gary Dutt of Old Station Road, Hampton-in-Arden.

Dutt pleaded guilty to three public order offences in June for "extremely aggressive and threatening" behaviour towards two local families. He appeared at Solihull Magistrates' Court on July 27 after an investigator gave hearsay evidence.

Normally, the police or local authority would apply for a CRASBO, following a criminal conviction but Solihull Community Housing hopes the case will pave the way for them to take the lead in similar cases in the future.

Mandy Mason, ASB manager said: "Not only is this a great result for those people and families affected by this man's actions, but it is also a landmark case for SCH to be involved.

"We are hoping to work with the Crown Prosecution Service in Solihull to review the processes in a CRASBO application with a view to us taking the lead in appropriate cases."

As an Arms Length Management Organisation, Solihull Community Housing is run by a management board of five tenants, five councillors and five independent people chosen for their specific skills and experience.