Unruly kids could cost people their homes in South Tyneside

The housing tenancy threat is one measure being taken by police and housing group South Tyneside Homes in a joint venture aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and youth disorder which blights people’s lives.

Police officers - alongside officials from the council’s anti-social behaviour team - have also been visiting homes of youngsters who have been seen hanging around streets and causing trouble.

Parents are being told of their children’s behaviour and - if they don’t take any actionm - tenancy enforcement action could be taken.

It is one of a number of measures being undertaken as part of a raft of measures being used by police in a crackdown on youth disorder in the Chichester area of South Shields.

Police have recently taken action agaist problem youngsters in and around Chichester Metro Station.

In recent months patrols by officers have been stepped up and Metro inspectors say they they have already seen a difference in the area.

Sergeant Dave Stobbs said: “We are continuing to work with our partners to address the issue of youth disorder at the metro station. As part of that work. We are carrying out visits to homes alongside the council’s anti-social team of those carrying out disorder in the area and if necessary tenancy enforcement action will be taken.

“In the worst case of scenario, they could potentially lose their homes.”

A South Tyneside Homes spokesman said: “South Tyneside Homes has been working jointly with the Northumbria Police to tackle anti-social behaviour around Chichester Metro. As part of this action we have targeted known offenders and undertaken joint visits with the Police to a number of addresses. We recognise the distress caused to local people as a result of the thoughtless and reckless behaviour these young people and that is why we are taking action to stamp it out.

“If the youths involved are the children of council tenants their behaviour can have implications for the tenants of the property, and we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action to resolve these issues.

“We take these acts of crime and anti-social behaviour extremely seriously and continue to work closely with our partners, including Northumbria Police and South Tyneside Homes, to tackle this issue. We would urge any residents to report any incidents to the Police or the Anti-Social Behaviour unit as appropriate.”