24.08.11
Council warns tenants of eviction after riots
Southwark Council has sent 35 letters warning tenants charged over the riots that they may be evicted.
Anyone who has been convicted is in breach of their tenancy agreement, as they are forbidden to cause nuisance, damage property or engage in anti-social or criminal activity, the council says.
Southwark councillor Ian Wingfield said: “The vast majority of our social housing tenants are hard-working and law-abiding people who respect their neighbours and local communities. Unfortunately, a minority were involved in the riots and inexcusable acts of violence and looting on our streets.
“We want to send a clear message to these individuals that if they are convicted there are serious consequences to their actions which for some could result in their eventual eviction.”
Face to face visits will also be conducted to ensure any enforcement action taken is proportionate. The council is currently considering what action to take.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is planning a 12-week consultation on whether powers should be extended to allow councils to punish those convicted who travelled from other areas, which he labelled “riot tourism”.
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