ASBO award leads to arrest

River Clyde Homes takes zero tolerance approach to reports of antisocial behaviour

Zero Tolerance Image

9 September 2020

With most of us now spending more time indoors, never has the sanctuary of our homes been more important. 

Throughout lockdown, River Clyde Homes, has treated reports of antisocial behaviour extremely seriously. 

Whilst tenants are protected to some extent due to the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 (an emergency law to protect renters in Scotland during coronavirus), tenants can still be issued with an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) by the Scottish courts.  

And although the Act temporarily extends the amount of notice landlords must give before beginning the process of ending a tenancy (in most cases landlords will now need to give tenants six months' notice) certain exemptions apply; such as when they are ending the tenancy due antisocial or criminal behaviour.  

On Monday, 24 August, River Clyde Homes was granted two ASBOs at Greenock Sheriff Court due to persistent complaints of antisocial behaviour despite repeated warnings being issued. These are the first ASBOs to be granted to RCH.  

Things moved quickly after that and one of the perpetrators, was subsequently arrested for breach of his ASBO. He has now been prohibited from returning to Greenock and hence, the property. 

Elaine Cannon, River Clyde Homes Service Improvement Manager, said: “The recent situation has shown how effective partnership working can be to solve a problem that was affecting a number of people. We are aware of the impact antisocial behaviour can have on our tenants’ lives, particularly during this pandemic and we take a zero tolerance approach. An ASBO prevents a person behaving in certain ways or doing certain things and can prevent further distress and alarm caused by anti-social behaviour. 

“As we saw in the case of one of the perpetrators, Police Scotland, Inverclyde Council and the Sheriff have acted quickly at the first sign of a breach. 

 “As a result of this excellent partnership working, including with local residents, we have seen swift action take place. 

“River Clyde Homes will continue to support residents who report anti-social behaviour and will take action against the perpetrators which may include seeking an ASBO and recovering the tenancy.”  

Community Policing Inspector Andrew Durk said: “Police Scotland has been working together with River Clyde Homes and Inverclyde Council to tackle a number of properties regarding antisocial behaviour and flouting COVID regulations, by a small number of tenants. This kind of persistent antisocial behaviour remains a focus for the Area Commander and we will continue to target and pursue these individuals using the strongest possible legal action against them. Since the interim ASBOs were granted, a 35 year old male was arrested for allegedly breaching the conditions and was held in custody to appear at court. This demonstrates how working in partnership can have a positive impact against individuals concerned in this kind of toxic behaviour.” 

Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities, said: “Nobody should have to put up with anti-social behaviour. 

“We’re committed to tackling the problem in partnership with the police and other relevant organisations, in this case River Clyde Homes. 

“Evidence supplied by the council’s community wardens and police helped officers and RCH to take action. 

“The council’s partnership working was recently recognised with an award from the divisional commander and we’re pleased that our role here has had a positive outcome.” 

Residents are encouraged to report anti-social behaviour to Police Scotland and Inverclyde Council’s community wardens as well as contacting River Clyde Homes on 0800 013 2196 which they can do in confidence at any time.