Solihull Community Housing (SCH) – which manages Solihull Council’s housing service – was granted three separate closure orders by Birmingham Magistrates Court today (Thursday 29 February) following reports of anti-social behaviour from tenants and the police.
The orders prohibit 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 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.
The orders were served on:
- A flat at Frensham Close, Chelmsley Wood, after West Midlands Police found a cannabis factory in the living room.
- A house in Kington Gardens, Chelmsley Wood, following repeated incidents of drug offences.
- A flat in Lambscote Close, Solihull Lodge, after complaints that several tenants were threatened, causing distress and worry particularly to families with young children.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Mark Parker, said: “Our tenants deserve to live safely, so after many months of hard work by SCH officers, Solihull Council’s legal team and West Midlands Police I am pleased that we have successfully brought these cases to court, securing closure orders for three properties.
“If any of our tenants think that criminal and anti-social behaviour is taking place in their area, please contact SCH or the Police. 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 these tenants.”
SCH Chief Executive, Fiona Hughes, said: “We will not tolerate any form of illegal drug activity or threatening behaviour of this kind in our properties. It is strictly against the law and is also against the terms of our Tenancy Agreement.
“We are committed to doing all we can to keep residents safe in their homes. When we hear of crimes such as this taking place, we will immediately act in conjunction with Solihull Council and West Midlands Police to achieve a positive result for our communities.”
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.