Frank Mulhern, the Housing Executive's Community Safety Manager revealed that over the last 12 months they have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of properties repossessed due to anti social behaviour.

He said: "This year 33 properties were repossessed compared with 17 the previous year.

"This shows an increase of almost 100% and can be attributed to our district offices responding speedily and effectively to reported anti social behaviour."

Frank, however, stressed eviction is the final straw, "The Housing Executive will only repossess properties as a last resort, the vast majority of reports of anti social behaviour are resolved without legal action," he added.

There are a number of steps taken by the Housing Executive to deal with the problem without having to resort to eviction.
He said: "Last year, and this year, our efforts have focused on intervening early and getting the source of the problem resolved.

"This can be achieved through a number of measures ranging from sending out warning letters to perpetrators of anti social behaviour, offering mediation to the parties concerned or using Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) to get the agreement of individuals to stop the anti social behaviour and behave in a more reasonable manner."

"With the offer of support, we have found it an extremely successful means of tackling unacceptable behaviour."

However Frank warned that if the problem persists even after intervention then there can be only one solution.

Frank added: "People will respond to our requests, where they do not, we will use whatever legal action is necessary to protect the wider community."