Eviction threat for rioting council tenants

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

The leader of Greenwich Council says the local authority will seek to evict tenants if they are found to have been engaged in criminal acts following the riots in London.

Last night the disorder spread to Woolwich, Peckham, Ealing, Croydon, Clapham as well as spreading to other cities including Liverpool, Bristol and Birmingham.

Council leader Chris Roberts said the destruction and looting he witnessed first-hand in Woolwich town centre last night are "criminal acts, no more and no less".

As part of measures to act where it can to help, Roberts said: "We shall seek the eviction of anyone living in council property if they are found to have been engaged in criminal acts.

"We shall also be using Greenwich Time to publish the images of those caught on our CCTV cameras as soon as the police release them to us."

In a statement the council leader said: "What happened in Woolwich is clearly part of a wider tale of disruption and criminality but this does not in any way reduce the Council's determination to act where it can.

"In recent years, the Council has secured record levels of investment into Woolwich Town Centre. Our drive to regenerate and improve our borough cannot be driven off course by such actions. Businesses are determined to rebuild  and Greenwich Council will give them every assistance to get back on their feet."

Council teams are on standby to clean up the streets of the borough so that local businesses can open as usual.

Roberts added: "Our clean-up teams were on standby from 5 o'clock this morning and as soon as emergency services permit access, we shall mobilise those teams in order to assist business and to help restore normality as soon as possible," the Leader said. 

"We will work with property owners, shopkeepers and others to see what we can do together to retain the vibrancy of our local town centres and will do all we can to help ensure the protection of their property."

"Greenwich Council will be doing all it can alongside the police to ensure the perpetrators are held to account."