Problem Tenants Lose Homes

Problem tenants at the centre of constant anti-social behaviour and suspected criminal activity have been removed from their homes.

South Tyneside Council and South Tyneside Homes, working in partnership with Northumbria Police, secured a Closure Order on a property in Burnside, Primrose, Jarrow.

The order means that the tenant must leave, and no one is permitted to enter the flat for three months.

A tenant at a second address in the same street was evicted and served with two civil injunctions including an Exclusion Area around the property with a power of arrest that will remain in place until October.

Both properties have been boarded up and anyone who tries to enter can be prosecuted.

South Tyneside Magistrates and South Shields County Court heard details of a string of complaints about tenants and visitors to the homes being involved in anti-social behaviour and criminality which caused fear among fellow residents.

They heard about numerous incidents including causing damage to the property, loud music, carrying weapons, fighting in the street, garden fires, wheelie bins being hurled through windows, and shouting and screaming threats while brandishing a machete.

Cllr Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Community Safety, added: "The activity in and around these properties has made the lives of residents living nearby a misery.

"People have a right to live their lives free of any such fear and intimidation and this kind of behaviour just won't be tolerated. This action shows that tenants can and will lose their homes. I hope this order will bring some respite to the local community.

"I'd like to thank the community safety and tenancy enforcement team from South Tyneside Homes for their work in securing these orders and removing these problem tenants. We will continue to use all tools at our disposal to tackle anti-social behaviour."

Neighbourhood Inspector Denise Easdon, of Northumbria Police, added: "We are pleased a closure order and civil injunction have now been granted for two properties, and the occupants have been removed from the area.

"No one should have to tolerate this kind of behaviour on their doorstep - and it was clear those at the addresses were making life a misery for the wider community through their relentless anti-social behaviour and criminality.

"I would like to thank the residents in the area for working with our officers and partners at the local authority, which has gone a long way in helping to secure this positive outcome.

"Let this be a warning anyone else engaged in this type of behaviour - your actions will not be tolerated and you could face eviction from your home."