Crackdown on ASB in Crook

Housing managers launched a crack down on anti-social behaviour after a spate of incidents on a Crook estate.
Staff from Dale & Valley Homes and a commuNity support officer visited homes around Honister Square on the Watergate estate to target perpetrators and reassure residents after a number of fires in the area.
Seven residents were given notice that the company, which manages council houses in Wear Valley, will be seeking to repossess their homes. Five repossession notices were for anti-social behaviour and two for persistent rent arrears.
Other residents were given reassurance that any reports they make about anti-social behaviour will be taken seriously and will be treated in confidence.
Joanne Dunn, assistant director of housing operations, said: “There has been a spate on incidents in the area involving people setting fire to cars, bins etc.
“The purpose of our visit is to target the perpetrators and also to build up confidence in our customers that we will respond to incidents and will take action against perpetrators of criminal or anti-social behaviour.
“Another purpose is to target customers in rent arrears. We have high arrears in the area, which is another symptom of customers not caring about their home or neighbourhood.
“If customers believe that we are taking local problems seriously it will help us build a sense of pride in the area and emphasise the message that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour.”