Solihull Community Housing (SCH) – which runs Solihull Council’s housing service – was granted a Closure Order by Coventry Magistrates Court on Friday 16 September. This prohibits tenant Tony Hunt, 38, of Windward Way, Smiths Wood from entering the property for three months. Mr Hunt did not attend the hearing which was heard in his absence.
The Closure Order follows repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour between March and September 2022, including breaking neighbours’ windows, threatening and harassing neighbours and criminal damage to SCH property.
Cllr Karen Grinsell, Deputy Leader of Solihull Council and Cabinet Member for Partnerships and Well-being, said: “I’m pleased that after many months of hard work by SCH officers, Solihull Council’s legal team and West Midlands Police we have successfully brought this case to court and secured a Closure Order which prohibits Mr Hunt from living in one of our properties.
“Our law abiding tenants deserve to live safely in the community. I would urge any of our tenants who think that criminal and anti-social behaviour is taking place in their area to contact SCH or the Police. I can assure you that you will be listened to, we will treat your complaints confidentially and we may be able to take action as we have been able to with this tenant.”
The Closure Order prohibits anyone with the exception of those named on the order - people working for Solihull Council, SCH or the Emergency Services - from remaining in, returning to, or entering the premises for a period of three months.
Anyone that breaches the order commits an offence and can be arrested. If found guilty of an offence they liable to imprisonment and/or a fine.
To make a complaint about anti-social or criminal behaviour in SCH properties, please contact the dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline on 0121 717 1500.