Able Associates Case Studies/Testimonials
Case Study 3 - Anti social behaviour ‘‘Neighbours from Hell''
Our client, a Local Authority, had received many complaints regarding the anti social behaviour of a family residing on one of their Housing Estates. The Housing Department
had issued a number of formal warnings, but they went unheeded and the behaviour became even worse.
Our Client wanted to take legal action but, as the Family were violent, other residents dare not give evidence to support any Proceedings. Without evidence, the Local Authority felt it could not take any formal action to protect the Residents of the Estate. This perceived ‘lack of action' by the local Authority gave rise to mistrust, frustration and further apathy by the residents. They felt that no-one was able, or willing, to help them.
We were asked to install covert CCTV units to capture evidence of the harassment, damage, and violence perpetrated by these ‘Neighbours from Hell'', thus eliminating the need for other residents to give evidence and put themselves in harms way.
The CCTV evidence obtained clearly demonstrated the anti social and criminal activities of members of the Family. Incidents were recorded where the Father assaulted a neighbour and
threatened violence toward others, two of the teenage Sons were recorded repeatedly damaging neighbours vehicles, throwing missiles at windows and climbing Street lamps before damaging them.
The Father was arrested (and later convicted) for the assault. We compiled a full case file, drafted Statements on behalf of Housing Staff, provided exhibits and drafted a successful application for an immediate (without Notice) Injunction to restrain any further anti social acts by our Clients tenant. Furthermore, we drafted successful applications for Anti Social Behaviour Orders in respect of the 2 teenagers.
Unfortunately, the Father quickly breached his Injunction by threatening another neighbour. However, local residents had felt so empowered by the action taken against this Family that several witnesses to the injunction breach came forward. We took witness statements and liaised with the Police, on behalf of our Client. The Police duly arrested the Father and he was immediately committed to Prison for contempt of Court.
Using the evidence already obtained, in addition to Statements from local residents, an application was made for Possession of the Family's home, which was granted outright.
The Injunction on the Father was replaced by an ASBO and the existing ASBOs on the teenage sons were amended to ban them, and their Father, from entering the Estate, contacting named witnesses or engaging in further acts of (specified) Anti social behaviour anywhere in England and Wales!
Since this action was taken on behalf of our Client, we have trained their Housing Staff regarding early ASB interventions (ABCs, mediation, effective use of Warnings etc) and have case managed a further eight ASB injunctions, three ASBOs, a Crack-house closure (with the Police) and two more evictions on behalf of this Client
Furthermore, Local residents have been consulted and feel that the Local Authority (our Client) is now taking an effective stance on dealing with Anti Social Behaviour/ Crime and Disorder in their Communities.
As for the Family concerned in this Case Study, they are still engaging with a number of Support Agencies/Programmes and have not breached their ASBOs.
As for the Estate, from which this Family were evicted, the Residents set up a Tenants/Residents' Association, are taking pride in their Estate…..and invited us to a Street party on the day of the Eviction!! |
