Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Drug dealers get the heave
Two antisocial tenants booted out homes
Two Airdrie residents were among six North Lanarkshire council tenants evicted from their homes for drugdealing offences during the second year of a joint council and police initiative.
The anti-social response service successfully responded to, investigated and supported the cases – involving tenants in Craigneuk and Clarkston – as they were passed to the courts.
The campaign continues to meet its 99 per cent resolution rate by providing round-the-clock assistance and mediation to Monklands residents, taking “tough action against those who ruin communities for others”.
The number of complaints dealt with during its second year has fallen by 967 – attributed to the successful intervention of the service in taking proactive and effective steps to tackle incidents and prevent them happening again.
The service received 7484 complaints, with domestic noise continuing to be the biggest source of calls (69 per cent).
In addition to the response initiative, locality teams operate during the day continuing to investigate complaints or incidents dealt with by the night team.
During the past year, officers issued almost 1000 warnings, as well as 53 notice of proceedings for anti-social behaviour against North Lanarkshire Council tenants.
The local authority’s joint work with Police Scotland on proactive visits was highlighted as an example of excellent practice at the Scottish antisocial behaviour officers’ Forum.
Officers from both services jointly visit identified or emerging hotspots to help prevent anti- social behaviour occurring.
One Coatbridge resident to benefit from the visits – who wished to remain anonymous – said: “The two council officers who came out couldn’t have been nicer and provided great support as I was feeling very stressed out with the situation.
“They arranged a Safer Homes referral and a spy hole was installed in my door within a couple of days, which was great.”
Councillor Bar r y McCulloch, convener of housing and social work services, said: “It’s now two years since we introduced our new, more responsive anti-social service.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to improving this we regularly survey those who have contacted us. Over 95 per cent of those surveyed told us they were satisfied with the service they received.
“We would urge residents experiencing anti- social behaviour to contact us and let us help to try and resolve the issues.
“We want to improve communities and will continue to work closely with our partners to make a positive difference to the lives of our residents.”
Superintendent John McTear, of Police Scotland’s Lanarkshire Division, added: “We know that in reality, anyone can become a victim of antisocial behaviour regardless of age, beliefs, health considerations, lifestyle and backgrounds.
“Quite often the most vulnerable members of our communities are targeted and this is why, here in Lanarkshire, we are committed to partnership working. We will carry out robust investigations of any reports we receive and will continue to work closely with our community safety partners to keep people safe.
“I would urge anyone who is experiencing any form of anti-social behaviour in Nor th Lanarkshire to report it.”
Anti-social behaviour can be reported on www. northlanarkshire.gov.uk/ or by calling the 24-hour hotline 0300 123 1382.
I was feeling very stressed . . . Council tenant