Greenwich Council has revealed a new and coordinated crackdown on anti-social behaviour and unlicensed HMOs following a rise in reported incidents.

Officers from Environmental Health, Private Landlord Property Licensing, Waste Services, Parking Enforcement, Anti-Social Behaviour and Integrated Enforcement have joined the Metropolitan Police to carry out interventions in more than 120 properties in the Plumstead area.

Complaints

The crackdown follows a series of complaints from locals about noise nuisance, littering and illegal parking, with the council targeting the worst offending streets.

Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan (pictured), Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, says: “The purpose of the day was to reassure residents that we are listening and truly do care about the issues they’re facing in their neighbourhoods.

Properties of concern have been noted, and they will be investigated.”

“We are particularly focused on unlicensed HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) and the impact that some of these properties have on residents. Properties of concern have been noted, and they will be investigated.”

During the operation, officers identified fly-tipping, suspected unlicensed HMOs or properties requiring a licence, and addresses linked to possible drug-related activity, with cases now set to be followed up by the relevant teams.

According to Greenwich: “All these incidents are taken seriously and will be dealt with by the council or police as appropriate.”

Taggart-Ryan adds: “We will continue to organise these intervention days in different areas to help reduce anti-social behaviour and environmental offences across the borough, helping residents feel safer.”

The council says similar operations will now be rolled out across other parts of the borough as part of an ongoing enforcement programme, using joint teams to identify and investigate problem properties and neighbourhood issues.