Here's an idea

The "Eyes and Ears" scheme is a way for tenants to report community issues and communal complaints. It's not about nuisance neighbours – we have different systems in place for that – but smaller issues.

It is a partnership between Weaver Vale Housing Trust, the police and Vale Royal council in Cheshire. One common complaint is that there are gangs of youths hanging around causing a nuisance, sometimes committing minor crimes.

If a tenant complains, we let the council's neighbourhood wardens and the police know.

They then come up with a coordinated approach. For example, we might send a patrol of wardens one evening to the area where the kids are hanging around. If they live in one of our houses and are in breach of their tenancy, we take action.

It's been pretty quiet over the winter months, but when we start having long days again I expect the problems to flare up. This year, we'll have more information about local behaviour. Problems should be easier to deal with.

We tested the project in one of our villages in 2000, when we were still part of the council. After stock transfer, we decided to roll the scheme out to cover all of our 6000 homes.

It didn't cost anything to set up, and the housing officers just fit it into their day-to-day work. The police and council have been really supportive – they appreciate the need for partnerships.

Tenants are pleased as well – it's seen as another avenue to go down when something goes wrong.