In an email sent to government offices and local authorities, the Home Office said the work of the anti-social behaviour action squad would be placed on hold until further notice while the department delivers ‘new ministerial priorities’.

The development follows a history of confusion for the squad. It was first launched, amid great fanfare, by former home secretary Jacqui Smith almost two years ago. But for the first 15 months it was almost invisible and the Home Office repeatedly refused to reveal who was in it and what it was doing.

The squad was finally properly launched last year to help local authorities tackle areas with the highest public perceptions of anti-social behaviour.

It is run by two Home Office anti-social behaviour delivery managers, Aaron Deveraux and Paul Cullen, and comprises 50 practitioners, many of whom work for local authorities.

The formation of the squad came ahead of a £10 million package, announced by then Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Communities Secretary John Denham in November, which provided funding for 130 councils to improve their performance on tackling anti-social behaviour and a revised Respect Standard for housing management.

One source said the suspension followed the launch of another team doing similar work.

‘Nobody was very clear about what the action squad was intended to do in the first place and there is an element of duplication with the Chartered Institute of Housing/Tenant Services Authority’s anti-social behaviour team.’

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: ‘Squad activity was suspended during the pre-election period which is normal and it is normal for it to remain so until we get a steer from ministers on their priorities.’

Gerry McDougall, anti-social behaviour coordinator at Portsmouth Council, said his authority had not worked with the squad.

But he added: ‘I am sure other councils which were relying on the service will probably be feeling a bit concerned because they have lost that level of support.’

Article appeared on Inside Housing.