Police attended 143 anti-social behaviour incidents in High Town in 6 month period

And one address in Edward Street was visited 86 times over a two-year period for a variety of issues, mainly reported by neighbours of a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

Police are more likely to attend HMOs for anti-social behaviour incidents than anywhere else, the borough council’s petitions and representations board was told.

The local authority received a 112-signature petition from the Friends of High Town in December.

It called for the introduction of an HMO Article 4 Direction (to include any property shared by three or more unrelated individuals) in the High Town area.

This means planning permission would be required for a change of use of a property to an HMO.

“We ask that the number of HMOs in any street should be limited to ten per cent of the total number of properties in that road,” said the petition.

“The high percentage of these dwellings in the High Town area is affecting the local community, its amenities and its well-being.”

Issues raised by the petition include:

> Poor standards of accommodation;

> Increased anti-social behaviour;

> Loss of single family houses;

> Greater pressure on local services;

> Loss of character.

“Article 4 is only part of the solution to problems identified,” according to David Landau, who chairs the friends.

“HMOs have been on the council’s radar for the past eight years at least,” he explained.

“We would like the highest level of lawful regulation of HMOs as one of our priorities.

“Test Article 4 in High Town. If not, High Town should be one of the first areas of the town to roll it out in.”

A High Town ward community police officer described anti-social behaviour incidents as “very much a seasonal issue, with an increase in the summer”.

He said: “It’s intimidating for residents to walk past. If they are going to the shops they will often take another route.”

Referring to HMOs, he added: “You’ve got people who don’t know each other, often with a criminal past, with a plethora of different issues, and it does cause anti-social behaviour from what I can see.”

Labour Farley councillor Dave Taylor said police have taken action in the past to close properties.

“But it didn’t really solve the problem because the addicts went elsewhere,” he told the panel.

Police can apply to magistrates for a temporary closure notice for a three-month closure, which can be extended to six-month.

But properties cannot be permanently closed, although a landlord could have an HMO notice revoked.

Labour High Town councillor Andy Malcolm urged the council: “Now is the time to act, rather than just note the petition.

“A lot of evidence has been provided,” he said. “Anti-social behaviour and other issues are exacerbated by HMOs.

“There is evidence in the report that there is an over-representation of HMOs in High Town ward in particular.

“There are a number of other wards where this is the case.

“High Town is certainly one of those places where it feels a little less cared for than when you walk into Round Green.

“The landlord licensing scheme will have an impact, but not on all of the issues identified in this petition,” he added.

“I would ask you to move forward now with an Article 4 direction.”

A report will be prepared for the council’s overview and scrutiny board, which will then be put to the executive.