Wrexham,North Wales - Two Wrexham families evicted from their homes after children run riot

Published date: 24 February 2016 | 

Published by: Staff reporter
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MORE residents could be evicted from their homes as police get tough on anti-social behaviour.

Last week at Wrexham Magistrates Court, district judge Gwyn Jones sanctioned the eviction of two families from their homes in Pentre Gwyn because of the behaviour of their children.

Amanda Hughes and Yvette Roberts, were each issued with closure orders by North Wales Police. The two women were given until yesterday to collect belongings from their homes and find alternative accommodation, away from Pentre Gwyn.

During the afternoon police swooped to ensure the properties were cleared. The closure order is for a period of three months.

Town centre sergeant Steve Owens says new legislation under the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 means the force can now take the lead in evicting problem residents.

“We look at the effect the behaviour of the occupants has on the wider community,” he said.

“The children of these families have been causing significant amounts of crime and disorder in the Pentre Gwyn and wider Caia Park area.

“We do not have to rely on other agencies now. We can take the initiative to evict people from council, social landlord and private homes. These properties are the first ones in Wrexham we’ve evicted ourselves and there will be more to follow.”

He added: “We liaise with the force solicitor and now we’re familiar with the process, we’ll make more use of it.

“We served evidence on the families and applied notices to the properties that we are securing possession. That was done last Monday afternoon, it took 48 hours to bring the matter to court where the district judge granted the order.”

Sgt Owens added that although on this occasion the families were given time to move out, the police could have insisted on immediate closures.

He also said there was no obligation for them to be re-housed and it is up to evicted families to “sort out their own accommodation”.

Residents whose lives are being made a misery by anti-social neighbours are also being encouraged to come forward by the police.

Sgt Owens said: “If the community wants us to apply this legislation, they need to come forward. Evidence can be given anonymously, you do not have to appear at court, but the community needs to make it known where there are problems.”

Town centre inspector Simon Kneale said: “With the issues we have seen recently in Caia Park with anti-social behaviour and arson attacks, we are determined to make our communities a safer place to live and work.

“We have demonstrated that by working in partnership with other agencies we are able to address the root causes.

“By tackling those who cause the most harm, North Wales Police has demonstrated that we will not tolerate this behaviour and we will pull out every stop to help our local communities.

“Residents should not have to live in fear or tolerate anti-social behaviour by a minority of individuals who are determined to cause fear and disruption.

“I would like to thank the local community for the information they have provided to us up until now and I would encourage this to continue.

“We have shown today that we will react to all information received and will pull out all of the stops to ensure that we address your concerns.

“By working together as a community we will be far more effective in reducing Crime and ASB in your area.

“You are the eyes and ears and know your communities the best and without your assistance our job would be much harder.

“Our priority is to make Wrexham and the wider North Wales a safer place and we will use every tool available to us, as demonstrated with the Anti-Social Behaviour legislation used today.”

see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/158981/two-wrexham-families-evicted-from-their-homes-after-children-run-riot.aspx