London council warns rioters will be evicted

A LONDON council has written to dozens of tenants charged over recent rioting to warn they could be evicted from their homes if convicted.

Some 35 letters have been sent to those living in the London borough of Southwark who have either been brought before the courts themselves or whose family members are suspected of criminal conduct during the widespread disorder.

The letters are designed to send a “message in no uncertain terms” that anyone found guilty of an offence could face eviction for breaching tenancy agreements. Tenants are forbidden from causing property damage and anti-social or criminal activities. The move follows Wandsworth Council’s decision to serve an eviction notice to a tenant.

Recipients are also informed that the council is now “considering what action to take” and is working with the police to “decide whether to take legal action”.

Councillor Ian Wingfield, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for Housing, 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. This is not a decision we take lightly, but we really need to send a message in no uncertain terms.”

Any application to evict will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with advice from the police and other agencies before being heard by a county court judge. Council officers have also begun face to face visits with tenants to ensure potential enforcement action is “proportionate”.

Sanctions including ASBOs and acceptable behaviour contracts could be considered, along with the application of “demoted tenancy” powers, a spokesman said.

These prevent a tenancy from being secure for an initial period of 12 months.

More than 120 businesses in Southwark fell victim to the destruction earlier this month.

Hackney Council said it was “currently considering its position in respect of the recent disturbances, taking into account legal and statutory duties”.

A spokesman for Westminster City Council said: “At the moment we are considering cases on a case-by-case basis. We are prepared to evict where the tenant has been proven to be a menace to their community and have been convicted.”