Neighbours from hell who cause mayhem and misery on local housing estates have been warned to shape up or ship out by their landlord this week.

Twynham Housing Association has launched a no-nonsense package of measures to tackle antisocial behaviour, including plans to set up a 24-hour hotline to report nuisance neighbours, extra efforts at mediation where possible, and providing more activities to stop bored teenagers causing trouble.

Twynham handled more than 300 reports of antisocial behaviour in the year to March, resulting in five evictions, plus several ASBOs, injunctions and other court orders. The ‘Respect’ initiative sets out what powers Twynham can use to reduce bad behaviour.

Resident Services Manager Winston Nelson said: “Our regular surveys show that antisocial behaviour is the top concern for residents, so we’re launching this to prove to our residents that they shouldn’t be suffering in silence.

“This initiative is about making it easier for people to report problems, training staff to step in earlier, getting more involved with parents, and resolving nuisance behaviour quicker. But it’s also about taking action to prevent antisocial behaviour in the first place, such as investing in communities to provide more things to do, and using good neighbour agreements to promote good conduct.”

Members of Sovereign Housing Group – Twynham, Sovereign and The Vale housing associations – formally launched the Respect initiative on Tues 27 Nov, at the group’s headquarters in Bartholomew Street, Newbury, from 4-5pm.

Published 26 November 2007
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