Future world leaders receive advice from landlord

Salix Homes, the arms-length management organisation of Salford Council, was asked to show delegates from the Royal College of Defence Studies how it dealt with the mass outbreak of civil unrest.

The ALMO used its CCTV cameras to track the violence and linked with police to help direct them to the right areas.

The landlord also ensured tenants felt safe and secure – including contacting 500 vulnerable people in the days after the riots. Salix Homes was highlighted by Inside Housing for its good work in our reports following the riots.

Delegates from the college – which gives strategic education to officers and civil servants from the UK and other countries – were shown the landlord’s CCTV control centre and given a presentation by key members of staff.

The delegates have been visiting locations across the world to see good leadership in action.

Kevin Scarlett, chief executive of Salix Homes, said: ‘It really is a privilege to be chosen to host this visit. Here at Salix we have worked incredibly hard to build good relationships with our tenants and that really helped us following the riots.

‘The actions of that small number of individuals that night was not representative of Salix tenants, the vast majority of whom were absolutely disgusted by what they witnessed.

‘We have been happy to share what we have learned with these incredibly influential people and hope it will be of some use to them in their future as world leaders.’

Derek Long, head of the North for the National Housing Federation, said: ‘Social landlords such as Salix Homes provide the glue which ensures that local communities are good places to live.

‘Across the country social housing organisations invest more than £400 million in crucial services including community centres, debt advice services and youth groups.’

Inside Housing’s Riot Report, written with the Chartered Institute of Housing and the National Housing Federation, will be published on 10 February.