Cornish social landlord Coastline Housing has taken steps to improve life for residents of Pengegon Parc, Camborne, by winning legal cases against two separate sets of nightmare neighbours in one day.
In the most extreme case, Coastline - working in partnership with local solicitors Walters and Barbary - was granted power to evict Natasha Galligan following an extended campaign of anti-social behaviour including constant loud music, weekly parties into the early hours, harassing visitors to neighbours' homes, littering and dumping furniture in the local area, property damage and violence.
On the same day, an Anti Social Behaviour Injunction, or ASBI, was granted against Miss Galligan's near neighbours David Carver and Rachel Dunstan, preventing them from fighting, arguing, shouting, begging or asking for money or goods and making excessive noise in the Pengegon Parc area.
The injunction also prevents the couple from entering local residents' properties without prior permission, and possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs in public, within a specified boundary, and any residents witnessing a breach of its conditions should call the Police on 999, followed by Coastline Housing on 08452 700 720.
Erica Osborne, Coastline's Tenancy Management Officer for Pengegon, commented: "Coastline takes all allegations of anti-social behaviour very seriously, so, in response to numerous complaints from angry and frustrated residents, we have acted to help the neighbours who have been affected by this unacceptable disorder on a daily basis.
"We believe it is important to try to sustain a customer's tenancy wherever possible, and offer support and guidance to help change any anti-social behaviour before looking for a legal solution. Unfortunately, though, there are times - as in the case of Miss Galligan - where things do not improve, and we have to take further action for the sake of the community as a whole.
"Any breach of Mr Carver and Miss Dunstan's injunction could lead to their arrest and possibly a prison term, and will certainly cause Coastline to seek possession of their property."
In both cases, the court success was made possible by the co-operation of the community, as nearby residents logged and reported all anti-social incidents to Coastline, helping to build a compelling picture of the problem.
Housing Services Manager Kevin Brown said: "This is a great example of residents working together with official agencies to make a real difference in their community. I would like to thank all our customers, who worked with us so diligently, as well as our partners in the Camborne Neighbourhood Police team, and Kerrier Anti Social Behaviour team, who helped us to achieve an appropriate, proportionate and effective solution for the people of Pengegon."
