• Neighbours suffered harassment and intimidation after Council flat was used for drug dealing and prostitution
Residents in a Newham street have benefited from successful enforcement action which has stopped a Council property being used for prostitution and drug dealing.
Newham Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team worked closely with the Metropolitan Police’s Safer Neighbourhoods Team to attempt to get the Forest Gate property’s tenant to improve his behaviour to allow him to keep his tenancy and provide relief to his neighbours.
But despite using every option available, including issuing Acceptable Behaviour Contracts as well as partial and full closure orders dictating who could attend the address, continued anti-social and illegal activity left the Council with no option but to take possession of the property.
Cllr Shaban Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Modernisation, said: said: “No-one should have to face harassment or intimidation in and around their own home and we are pleased to have helped end the suffering of the neighbours who had to endure this person’s behaviour.
“Retaking possession of a property is always an absolute last resort and we tried everything in our power to avoid it in this case, but ultimately our priority is to protect law-abiding residents by ensuring our neighbourhoods are safe places to live.
“We encourage anyone experiencing anti-social behaviour to report it to us immediately so that we can help bring it to an end.”
Newham residents can report anti-social behaviour (ASB) to dedicated teams dealing with incidents in residential areas or in the wider community.
Housing-based ASB, including issues with neighbours causing a nuisance, loud behaviour and threats of violence or harm, can be reported via this online form.
Incidents that occur in public areas, such as environmental crimes, public consumption of alcohol, large gatherings or unlawful gambling, should be reported here.
You can find more information about how Newham Council tackles anti-social behaviour, including the support available, on our dedicated web pages.
