The ONE Haverhill Partnership has set up a Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Task Group to tackle concerns about drug crime and anti-social behaviour in Haverhill, Suffolk. The group will focus on problems in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and work to disrupt county lines drug networks, including the practice known as ‘cuckooing’ where gangs take over vulnerable people’s homes for dealing. The initiative is part of a wider effort to improve community safety as the town prepares to open its new Haverhill health and wellbeing hub in January 2026.
To help those in shared accommodation, a dedicated key worker for HMO tenants will be appointed to work directly with tenants and help them maintain sustainable tenancies. The multi-agency team, which includes Havebury Housing Partnership and Suffolk Constabulary, will also carry out a town-wide substance misuse audit. These efforts are intended to stop criminals from taking over the homes of vulnerable residents.
Henry Wilson MBE, chair of the ONE Haverhill Partnership and chief executive of Reach Community Projects, said the group wants to provide direct support for families in crisis. While official figures show Haverhill’s crime levels are low compared with some larger Suffolk towns, many residents still report feeling worried about crime. The task group’s approach aims to bridge that gap by providing visible support and taking action against nuisance behaviour.
