Yellow card warning for parents of Sandwell yobs

Problems with anti-social behaviour have sprung up on the Yew Tree estate, which borders Sandwell and Walsall.

Police say they have put nine nuisance youngsters on Acceptable Behaviour Contracts already after complaints around shops and communal areas in Redwood Road and Woodruff Way. Complaints include youths banging on doors and windows.

Now it has emerged police officers have teamed up with housing officers, who will consider so-called tenancy demotion for parents, if their children misbehave. Tenancy demotions work like yellow cards as residents in social housing are warned they have lost any status or benefit from being a long-term tenant.

Any further problems could prompt their eviction so there is greater scrutiny on tenants' behaviour, and those of people living with them.

Sergeant Kym Jones, of Great Barr with Yew Tree neighbourhood police, said: "Anti-social behaviour is still a priority on Yew Tree and Great Barr and we endeavour to give residents the quality of life they deserve.

"Police Officers and PCSOs continue to monitor nine youths who are currently on Acceptable Behaviour Contracts. Housing officers are working with us and are preparing tenancy demotion and even eviction for the offenders who continue to cause problems. Anti-social behaviour calls have reduced over the last month."

It comes after it emerged that six problem families believed to be responsible for crime and drug dealing on the Lost City estate in Tipton, could be thrown out of their homes. Fights in the street, noise and intimidation are among complaints dealt with by police and council officers.

And now tenants at six properties in the Lost City area have been served with possession notices on their homes. The notices have been served on two properties in Hawthorn Road, two in Hall Lane and two in Coronation Road.

The occupants will now have to go to court where a judge will have the power to serve them an eviction notice. The first hearing is due to at Dudley County Court on April 9.

It also emerged this week that CCTV has been installed in Haden Hill Park, Cradley Heath, by the police and Sandwell Council to try to tackle the problem of youths gathering in the park.

Last year Haden Hill Park celebrated its 90th birthday with the planting of a commemorative tree, after it opened for public use on October 21, 1922. The park is originally the grounds for Haden Hill House, which previously belonged to George Alfred Haden Best.