INVESTIGATIONS are underway over reports of antisocial behaviour coming out of an estate hit by ‘horror tenants’ in a private housing block.
Residents are being urged to provide evidence to Barnsley Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Service and South Yorkshire Police about issues at Middlecliffe Mews, Middlecliffe - which were revealed by the Chronicle last week to have included people partying and arguing in the early hours, abusing passers-by and, on one occasion, a man being found half-naked in a resident’s garden.
It’s understood My Space Housing, which runs the supported living accommodation, are co-operating with local councillors and are considering holding a public meeting.
The Safer Neighbourhood Service is also seeking people who are willing to give evidence to ‘establish the extent of the problem’, said a letter sent to households in the area, dated Tuesday July 6.
Case management officer Mhairi Powell said in the letter that evidence can be used in court, potentially anonymously, to allow the authority to take action.
“The Safer Neighbourhood Service realises that in situations like the one in which you find yourselves, there is always a reluctance to give statements and appear in court on our behalf as witnesses for fear of reprisals,” said the letter.
“In this case we can use first-hand witness evidence from ‘professional witnesses’, such as South Yorkshire Police and Barnsley Council staff, but we still require evidence from residents suffering harassment, alarm or distress due to antisocial behaviour.
“As some of the legal remedies available to the Safer Neighbourhood Service are civil orders we can introduce ‘hearsay evidence’.
“The officer then gives a statement to the court based on this and the anonymity of the resident is therefore safeguarded.”
To help with the investigation, call 07827991604 or email mhairipowell@barnsley.gov.uk.
