Get tough on anti-social louts call (From Warrington Guardian)

Get tough on anti-social louts call

A WARRINGTON MP and councillor have called for stronger action in the battle against anti-social tenants.

Warrington North MP Helen Jones and Clr Brian Maher, ward member for Poplars and Hulme, have called on Golden Gates Housing to toughen up their act against nuisance neighbours.

And they want quicker action to be taken to remove graffiti and clean up stairwells in the ward - with anti-social behaviour orders imposed on the perpetrators.

Mrs Jones said those causing problems should be served with ASBOs or evicted from their homes.

She added: "I am looking for swifter and more decisive action to be taken against the small minority or people whose yobbish behaviour is simply not acceptable.

"Housing managers would not put up with these problems if it was happening next to where they lived and I don't see why tenants should have to."

Clr Maher, who took a tour of the flats at the corner of Toll Bar Road and Chiltern Place in the ward to inspect the graffiti, said people do not want to live in such messy conditions.

He added: "Swift action is needed to clean up the mess and tough action needs to be taken against those causing the problems."

But Peter Mercer, director of Golden Gates Housing, which manages the council's housing stock, said that it was already looking at issuing ASBOs in problem areas.

He added: "We have adopted a strong policy towards anti-social tenants, we are committed to stamping out such behaviour and have already taken legal action against people who cause misery in the borough.

"We appreciate Helen Jones's and Brian Maher's support for direct action.

"A strategy has been agreed by the council which will help us in our aim to promote secure communities across the borough."