Islington Council has successfully secured its first Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) against a private tenant, Mr Neil Fox of Rector Street, N1, after Highbury Magistrates' Court heard (10 October, 2006) of the misery he had caused his neighbours. This action follows an interim Order secured in March this year.
Cllr Marisha Ray, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: "We are very pleased with the outcome of this case. Our officers, the police and local residents have worked hard for months gathering the necessary evidence and witness statements. I want to thank residents whose perseverance and willingness to give evidence made the Order possible. Their lives have been disrupted in the most unacceptable way and we hope that the situation will improve and hope to also send a message that no matter how long it takes we will take action against anti-social behaviour. Our officers will continue monitoring the situation over the next few months."
Residents attended court to give evidence and described incidents including:
· Harassment
· Aggressive swearing and shouting of obscenities
· Threatening and intimidating behaviour
· Noise nuisance including persistent banging on walls of adjoining properties
· Throwing rubbish and bottles into neighbours gardens
· Urinating against a neighbour's front door.
Chief Inspector Bob Strong, Islington Police, said: "This is a good example of the working partnership between the Metropolitan Police Service and the Local Authority to secure an order against a private tenant. Working together we have obtained an order to protect local residents from the anti-social behaviour of this individual who has caused considerable distress to his neighbours."
The ASBO bans Mr Fox from causing harassment, alarm or distress to any person residing in or visiting Rector Street or Canon Street in N1. He is also prevented from using abusive, insulting or intimidating language or gestures towards neighbour; banging on walls; depositing objects in gardens; shouting or creating excessive noise, and knocking and banging on doors.
This is the first time an ASBO has been obtained against a private resident in Islington and demonstrates that anti-social behaviour does not just take place on social housing estates - the council is committed to tackling it wherever it takes place in the borough.
The case involved close working between Council and Police Officers and the residents of Rector and Canon Street.
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Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008