jrobertson
05-06-08, 12:32 PM
www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk (http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk) - The Northern Echo - 4th June 2008
Woman who lobbied about anti-social behaviour was 'neighbour from hell' (http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.2318207.0.woman_who_lobbied_about_anti social_behahviour_was_neighbour_from_hell.php)
A WOMAN who lobbied the Prime Minister about anti-social behaviour has been evicted for causing seven years of hell for neighbours.
Lynn Arkley designed a poster for the Department of Health and wrote to then PM Tony Blair expressing her concern about the dangers facing youngsters from drug pushers.
But at the same time the 47-year-old was making life a misery for her neighbours in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, racking up 350 incidents logged with police since
August 2001.
Problems included verbal abuse, aggressive and drunken behaviour, in a street populated by many pensioners who were left terrified by Arkley's antics.
But now peace has returned to Woodburn Drive, after residents stepped forward to help Wearside social housing provider Gentoo go to court to have her evicted.
"She was badly liked. Everybody wanted her out," said one woman, who considered moving to escape Arkley's wrath.
"I was frightened of her. Even the teenagers around here were scared of her."
Another neighbour, who also asked not to be named, said: "This used to be a really friendly street where people sat out on the front, but when she moved in that stopped because they didn't want a confrontation with her.
"The problems went on all through the night. The police were never away."
She added: "It's been lovely since she's gone. It's like another world - everybody is so happy.
"We opened a bottle of bucks fizz to celebrate when she went."
Residents praised neighbourhood nuisance enforcement officer Mike Orchard for his work in evicting Arkley.
Gentoo Deputy Director Michelle Meldrum said: "Tackling anti-social behaviour is high on our agenda and we are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe places to live.
"We endeavour to support our customers as much as we possibly can and view eviction as a last resort.
"We will, however, take eviction proceedings on tenants who continuously cause antisocial behaviour and nuisance to other residents and who refuse to access the support options we offer."
In the last year, 90 problem tenants were evicted by Gentoo.
They comprised 81 for rent arrears, four for anti-social behaviour and five for breach of
tenancy, which included failure to look after gardens and property.
Recent evictions include Sean McAnaney from his flat in Tadcaster Road, Sunderland, following nuisance behaviour and breach of a suspended possession order.
Gentoo has also helped to gain an injunction against Simon Bryant, from Thorney Close, which prevents him from entering his family's home following incidents in the neighbourhood.
Woman who lobbied about anti-social behaviour was 'neighbour from hell' (http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.2318207.0.woman_who_lobbied_about_anti social_behahviour_was_neighbour_from_hell.php)
A WOMAN who lobbied the Prime Minister about anti-social behaviour has been evicted for causing seven years of hell for neighbours.
Lynn Arkley designed a poster for the Department of Health and wrote to then PM Tony Blair expressing her concern about the dangers facing youngsters from drug pushers.
But at the same time the 47-year-old was making life a misery for her neighbours in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, racking up 350 incidents logged with police since
August 2001.
Problems included verbal abuse, aggressive and drunken behaviour, in a street populated by many pensioners who were left terrified by Arkley's antics.
But now peace has returned to Woodburn Drive, after residents stepped forward to help Wearside social housing provider Gentoo go to court to have her evicted.
"She was badly liked. Everybody wanted her out," said one woman, who considered moving to escape Arkley's wrath.
"I was frightened of her. Even the teenagers around here were scared of her."
Another neighbour, who also asked not to be named, said: "This used to be a really friendly street where people sat out on the front, but when she moved in that stopped because they didn't want a confrontation with her.
"The problems went on all through the night. The police were never away."
She added: "It's been lovely since she's gone. It's like another world - everybody is so happy.
"We opened a bottle of bucks fizz to celebrate when she went."
Residents praised neighbourhood nuisance enforcement officer Mike Orchard for his work in evicting Arkley.
Gentoo Deputy Director Michelle Meldrum said: "Tackling anti-social behaviour is high on our agenda and we are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe places to live.
"We endeavour to support our customers as much as we possibly can and view eviction as a last resort.
"We will, however, take eviction proceedings on tenants who continuously cause antisocial behaviour and nuisance to other residents and who refuse to access the support options we offer."
In the last year, 90 problem tenants were evicted by Gentoo.
They comprised 81 for rent arrears, four for anti-social behaviour and five for breach of
tenancy, which included failure to look after gardens and property.
Recent evictions include Sean McAnaney from his flat in Tadcaster Road, Sunderland, following nuisance behaviour and breach of a suspended possession order.
Gentoo has also helped to gain an injunction against Simon Bryant, from Thorney Close, which prevents him from entering his family's home following incidents in the neighbourhood.