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Cracking down on violent neighbours
A NO-NONSENSE approach to antisocial behaviour is being taken by a housing association in Rugby.
Staff at Orbit Heart of England will evict troublesome tenants who make life a misery for others.
Lucy Lilburn, district housing manager at Orbit, based at Woodside Park, said there's more to the business than just being a social housing provider.
She said: "I'm very passionate about my work and want people to know we have trained staff ready to help out residents in need.
"We are a responsible landlord and we can't just sit back. We do work with a number of other parties, including the police, it's an holistic approach."
Lucy said a tenant recently visited the Orbit office complaining about his neighbour banging her front door.
"He was shouting, swearing and being abusive," she said.
"When we spoke to the neighbour, also one of our tenants, she had a very different story to tell. This man had an obsession with her banging the front door, when in fact she was just closing the door. He used to shout at her and swear at her."
One day the man held a brick to her mum's head and the police were called. An emergency injunction was taken out and within a week he was in court.
"This woman and her family lived in misery for so long because she didn't think she had the right to complain about it and was also terrified of this man," said Lucy.
His bail conditions meant he couldn't go near the street. He has since moved away.
Lucy said: "He caused a lot of trouble for a lot of our residents, but they were too scared to come forward. One woman even withdrew her statement against him out of fear after he followed her to work and confronted her in the street.
"We are here for our residents' protection and will support them from start to finish."
In the end the man handed his keys back to Orbit, giving respite to everyone in the street.
"They said having the man living there was like living in Beirut," said Lucy.
Police recently raided an Orbit property where drug dealers were selling cannabis after complaints from worried neighbours. The tenants
were evicted this week.
Another resident has been caught dealing drugs and owning two dogs in a flat, breaching Orbit's conditions.
Proceedings are ongoing but eviction looks likely.
Lucy said: "We can't act if we don't know people's situations so we would urge people to come forward if they have concerns.
"We have got the expertise. We are a support service as well as housing people and we have the best solicitors."
n If you are a resident with concerns, telephone Orbit's customer service centre on 03458 500500. Callers can remain anonymous.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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