We are proud to support ASB Awareness Week 2025, a national campaign running from 30 June to 4 July that encourages communities to take a stand against anti-social behaviour (ASB) and raise awareness of the support available.
As a housing provider to over 60,000 people in Sunderland, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and neighbourhood.
Last year, we received 386 new ASB reports, with the most common issues involving criminal activity, abuse towards staff, drug use, and assault. In response, we took firm but fair action, including:
- 10 evictions
- 89 Notices of Seeking Possession
- 163 Pre-Notices of Seeking Possession
- 81 Community Protection Warnings and Notices taken in partnership with Northumbria Police and Sunderland City Council
Louise Lawson, who leads Gentoo’s Community Safety Team, said: “At Gentoo, we focus on early intervention, warning customers about the consequences of ASB and offering support to help them maintain their tenancies.
“We only seek possession in serious cases where support and partnership work haven’t improved the situation. A judge makes the final decision based on the evidence and our investigation.
“We also offer an independent mediation service to help resolve neighbour disputes, and many customers have had positive outcomes through this support.”
Our approach to tackling ASB is rooted in partnership and placemaking. The organisation works closely with local communities and schools, Northumbria Police, Sunderland City Council and voluntary and community sector partners.
Projects like HALO (Hetton Aspirations Linking Opportunities), SARA (Southwick Altogether Raising Aspirations), and SAIL (Sunderland Altogether Improving Lives) are helping to build pride and ownership in neighbourhoods while addressing issues such as anti-social and criminal behaviour, environmental crime, unemployment and poor mental health.
Louise added: “We’re now rolling out this approach across the city, holding regular meetings, carrying out joint visits, and working closely with partners to resolve ASB.
“Together, we’ve supported successful partial and full closure orders to stop ASB at our properties and improve community safety.”
We have planned several community engagement activities during ASB Awareness Week:
- Tuesday 1 July, 10:00 AM – Partner patrols in the Copt Hill/Seaham Road area, including leaflet drops and a team available to speak with residents
- Wednesday 2 July – Partner patrols and leaflet drops around Washington with Sunderland City Council and Northumbria Police
- Thursday 3 July, from 5:00 PM – Partner patrols in Herrington Country Park and Shiney Row (St John’s Church), with leaflet drops and resident engagement
Don’t suffer in silence
YouGov research commissioned by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, found that almost 1 in 5 people have had to consider moving home because of the impact ASB was having on them; 1 in 10 have actually moved. Despite this, over half of those surveyed who were either a victim or witness of ASB did not report the ASB.
We urge our customers to report ASB and not suffer in silence. You can report ASB by:
- Calling 0191 525 5000 select option 4 or 0800 028 4445
- Filling in an online form at www.gentoogroup.com/ASB
- Visiting your local Gentoo office
- Messaging us on Facebook
- For emergencies, always call 999 or 101.
