Port Glasgow evictions lead to calls for tougher vetting

The Tele spoke to residents who told how they were living in fear and felt intimidated by tenants who were kicked out of Stanton Square in Port Glasgow.

River Clyde Homes took action after a number of serious incidents, including street fights and weapons being brandished, and reports of drug dealing at the development, on the site of the former St Stephen's High School.

In the end a man and a woman were evicted, with another voluntarily giving up his tenancy as a result of the evidence against him.

Stanton Square (Image: George Munro)

Councillor David Wilson, who was contacted about the ongoing anti social behaviour, has said those who made other tenants' lives a misery should be banned from getting another River Clyde Homes property.

Councillor Wilson said: "This was a minority of people causing terrible trouble for the residents living there.

"Quite often it takes River Clyde Homes a long time to evict, but in this case they are to be congratulated for dealing with it swiftly.

"I was contacted by residents who were going through a living hell.

"I think going forward River Clyde Homes needs to toughen up on vetting. They should not have been there in the first place.

"I also think when tenants have been evicted, they should be banned from River Clyde Homes properties in the future."

Residents in Stanton Square, who asked not to be named, told the Tele of the personal intimidation and abuse they'd suffered, as well as anti-social behaviour.

One said: "There were parties and banging about. But there was also some tenants who were getting threatened, and even their children.

"There were cameras installed for a time, but they have now been taken away. I think it would be good to have them here permanently."

River Clyde Homes secured an anti-social behaviour order against Christopher Richardson of 6 Stanton Square for engaging in street fights and brandishing dangerous weapons.

Despite this, his behaviour continued, leading to a potential eviction decree.

Mr Richardson voluntarily terminated his tenancy before the eviction was finalised. 

The landlord also evicted Michael Joyce and Tammy Duffy from their Stanton Square homes.

Mr Joyce had been the subject of reports of drug dealing and anti-social behaviour, which persisted after he served a prison sentence, while Ms Duffy was evicted in June after numerous reports of anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “Residents should not have to put up with anti-social behaviour and this action demonstrates that there is a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of harassment."

An RCH spokesperson said: "We take anti-social behaviour among our properties and communities extremely seriously.

"Evicting a tenant is always a last resort, but if all other approaches have failed this may be the only solution.”

Responding to Councillor Wilson's comments, an RCH spokesperson said: "CCTV is employed to address particularly severe instances of anti-social behaviour and this was used in Stanton Square for a period of time.

"We are committed to collaborating with partners and assisting customers in resolving these issues."