Council officers joined forces with Northumbria Police to tackle antisocial behaviour on a North Tyneside estate.
Members of the Community and Public Space Protection team, backed up by Northumbria Police, visited nine houses linked to antisocial behaviour and crime in the Howdon area.
Acting on information received from concerned residents and other agencies, the team handed out legal notices and eviction warnings to ‘nightmare neighbours’ on Rutherford Street, Firtrees Avenue, Brunton Avenue, Hazelwood Terrace and Willington Terrace.
Offences ranged from burglary to vandalism, suspected drug dealing, and the antisocial use of motorbikes and quad bikes on the estate.
The action on Wednesday morning (August 15) was part of Operation Respect; a joint initiative between the council and police which aims to stamp out antisocial behaviour in various parts of the borough.
Ritchie Mitchell, Community and Public Space Protection Manager, said: “North Tyneside is one of the safest places in the country to live but crime and antisocial behaviour do sometimes occur which is which is why initiatives like Operation Respect are so important.
“Today’s operation is a great example of the council and Northumbria Police working together, sharing information, and taking firm and decisive action to stamp out bad behaviour in our communities.
“It also highlights how important it is that we continue to receive good quality information from the public and we hope that today’s enforcement action shows what can be achieved when we have the evidence to tackle ASB.”
Elsewhere on the estate, PCSOs and council staff posted around 500 letters to reassure local people about the operation taking place, while young police cadets joined up with the council’s grounds maintenance staff to help tidy up Howden Park and a green space on Rutherford Street.
Sergeant Jonathan Caisely, of the Wallsend Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “We have taken joint action today with North Tyneside Council against people identified in the community as causing harm. It should serve as a warning that we will take swift action against anyone who continues to engage in anti-social behaviour.”
Residents can report criminal or anti-social behaviour confidentially to the Police on 101 (dial 999 in an emergency) or to the Community Protection team on 0191 643 3333, by email to community.protection@northtyneside.gov.uk, by Twitter @NTC_ASBTEAM or by visiting the ‘Report It’ section of the council’s website.