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Wakefield drug tenants evicted
OP TEAM: Front row, Stephen Fealy (West Yorkshire Fire Service), PCSO Chris Tonge and WDH estate manager John Scarr. Back row, Steve Earnshaw (Anti-Social Behaviour Unit), WDH tenant support officer PC Andy Morgan, and safety school partnership officer PC Simon Newton.
An undercover operation rooting out the drug dealers making residents’ lives a misery in parts of Wakefield has seen four tenants kicked out of their homes.
This week a 53-year-old man from South Kirkby became the fourth person to lose his home as part of the hard-hitting Operation Northbay.
The man had the tenancy at his house in South Kirkby terminated by Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) after he was convicted of a drug-related offence.
He joins three others who have lost their homes as the operation looks to get troublesome tenants out of the distinct’s estates and make them safer for other residents.
Since the operation was carried out last year, two further suspended “possession orders” have also been made against tenants in South Kirkby and Kinsley.
The suspended orders mean the tenants can keep their home – but only if they abide by conditions decided by the court.
Speaking about the operation, WDH area manager Janet Smith said: “We are actively challenging anyone who allows their property to be used in connection with illegal drugs – we will not tolerate the abuse of our tenancies.
“For some, the action we take may well mean the loss of their homes.
“Tenants and residents should not underestimate the part they can play through sharing their concerns about drugs with WDH or the police.
“We will take action whenever we have the opportunity to do so.”
Last year, in a separate ant-drugs drive, WDH secured seven other “possession orders” and two tenants were evicted from their homes because it was found they had been involved in drug production operations.
Inspector Jackie Turton of West Yorkshire Police said: “Drug abuse can cause great concern for residents who live in areas where this takes place.
“I hope that the action taken by the South East Neighbourhood Policing Team, together with our partners in WDH, demonstrates our commitment to tackling drugs offences in communities.
“People should feel confident that their problems and the information given will be taken seriously.
“Residents can be proud of our communities in the South East of the district.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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