Tower Hamlets Council has unveiled two major new plans to crack down on anti‑social behaviour and fix the borough’s growing housing pressures - responding directly to the top concerns raised in its latest Annual Residents Survey. The twin documents set out tough new measures to boost safety, drive up housing standards and strengthen support for local communities.
A launch event at Jute House, on the Isle of Dogs, brought together Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman, the Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar, council teams, and local residents.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said:
“With this new Housing Strategy, we are matching ambition with action - delivering more affordable homes, improving the quality and safety of existing homes, and ensuring our residents have a place they can truly be proud to call home. The plan has been shaped by the voices of local people and grounded in the needs of our community. Along with our new policy to tackle anti-social behaviour, these policies reflect our firm commitment to improving quality of life of our residents and providing significant investment to make this borough an even safer, fairer and more welcoming place to live.”
A new anti-social behaviour policy
The new Anti‑Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy sets out a clearer, faster and more robust approach to tackling nuisance, disorder and the behaviours that most impact residents’ sense of safety. The updated policy reflects what residents have repeatedly raised through surveys and consultations, namely that ASB remains one of the top concerns across the borough.
In recent years, the Council has expanded its enforcement and community safety capacity. This includes the launch of a 24/7 ASB live incident phoneline for our council tenants and leaseholders, designed to ensure faster responses and better recording of issues impacting on the quality of life of our residents. This includes incidents of substance misuse, noise nuisance and vehicle-related disorder.
The Council has also established the Anti‑Crime Task Force, investing £8 million to increase visible patrols, enhance CCTV infrastructure, and strengthen joint work between Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) and the police to deter crime and ASB across estates, parks and high‑footfall areas.
The new ASB Policy brings these initiatives together into a single framework, ensuring consistent decision‑making, clearer expectations for residents, stronger prevention work, and faster escalation for persistent offenders.
The new policy clearly sets out our commitment to ensure:
- Communities, families and individuals impacted by ASB are supported.
- The council provides clear and accessible ways to report ASB, including a dedicated ASB live incidents line for council tenants and leaseholders.
- Dedicated officers oversee ASB cases the council leads on.
- Our residents know that they are able to use the ASB case reviews where they feel their concerns haven’t been dealt with.
- The council and partners use available legal tools and powers to take action and hold those who cause asb to account.
- Our resources are targeted in areas where there is persistent ASB.
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Integrated Enforcement, said:
“Anti-social behaviour has no place in Tower Hamlets. Our residents deserve safe streets, respectful neighbours, and communities where people look out for one another. This new ASB Policy sets out a tougher, clearer and more proactive approach, backed by major investment in enforcement, more visible patrols, and faster ways for residents to report incidents. By listening to our communities and taking decisive action, we are sending a clear message: we will not tolerate behaviour that causes fear, disruption or distress. Together, we are building a safer and more welcoming borough for everyone.”
A landmark Housing Strategy 2026–2036
This strategy sets out the vision for More Homes, Better Homes, Safer Homes, responding to challenges such as over 30,000 households on the housing register, high levels of overcrowding, rising population growth, and the borough’s high rate of short-term lets.
Building on its position as London’s leading borough for housing delivery, the council outlines major commitments including unlocking 3,332 new homes through the Mayor’s Accelerated Housing Programme, investing £609 million to upgrade and improve safety in council homes, transforming housing services through the Your Voice, Our Action programme, and taking nationally recognised action on dangerous cladding. The strategy also expands support for vulnerable residents and strengthens regulation of the private rented sector.
The strategy will focus on seven priority areas:
- Tackling overcrowding
- Building more homes
- Looking after council homes
- Improving private renting
- Strengthening partnerships
- Preventing homelessness
- Designing inclusive housing that meets diverse needs
Cllr Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, said:
“Our approach to tackling the housing crisis is ambitious, but when our residents tell us about the issues they are facing, we listen. Whether they are tenants in our council homes, private renters, housing delivery partners or residents in temporary accommodation, this strategy sets out how we will meet the diverse needs of our communities. Our aim is to create high quality homes that support our growing and varied population.”
At the launch event, residents shared their experiences of living in the borough and offered their reactions to the new policies and strategies. Their feedback helped highlight the real-life impact of these issues and the importance of the council’s plans
Resident Mrs Begum, said:
“It’s an amazing house. I’m very happy. We waited 10 years, but it was worth the wait.” Her daughter has complex needs, and the house has been adapted to help the family live more comfortably. She added: “We have everything on our doorstep – the school is close by, the GP is close by and walking distance. It’s a very lovely home.”
Posted on Tuesday 17th March 2026