Peabody's well known Community Safety Team threatened

Domestic violence service threatened

Staff were shocked last weel to hear of brutal and sudden cuts at Peabody housing. In a move taken in great haste and without proper consultation, amangement are seeking to close down the organisation's respected Community Safety Team. Peabody has been seen as a leader in handling domestic violence cases but that service is threatened by the drastic move.

Community Not so Safe Team at Peabody

Despite profits of £175m announced in the 2018 Peabody annual report, staff in its award winning and highly valued Community Safety Team (CST) were left reeling this week, by the announcement that the team’s role will be deleted by July 1st 2019 as part of a £1m savings target.

Knife crime

At a time where our news is filled with sad reports of knife crime, domestic abuse and drug gang activity, the decision to close down a team that handles the very highest levels of crime across Peabody estates and transfer their duties to generic housing officer will carry a real human cost.

The loss of expertise, commitment and experience will be felt by the victims of crime in Peabody properties, as well as by the police, support agencies and court system.

Impact on service for tenants

The extra work for housing officers is bound to impact on fundamental service delivery for tenants.

Unite the Union is leading a staff petition opposing the move and calling on Peabody management to rethink the closure as a matter of urgency under the slogan ‘Closing CST is Crackers’.

More news as this story unfolds, but one thing for sure; we will find out the value of the work that CST does in combatting crime, violence and distress over the weeks ahead.

14th May 2019