A special team has vowed to help tackle the problem of nuisance neighbours on an Oxford estate.
People living in Rose Hill have reported a recent rise in the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour on the estate. But Oxford City Council's Crime and Nuisance Action Team (CANAct) is poised to step in to help tackle the problem.
The team was set up last November to tackle problems caused by nuisance neighbours, especially in cases where the police felt unable to bring a criminal prosecution. The team's main weapon is in helping communities attain Anti-Social Behaviour Orders to keep offenders in check.
The orders are difficult to get and rely on witnesses being willing to come forward and give evidence, so the team has devised alternative methods. Before resorting to Anti-Social Behaviour orders, the team aims to set up case conferences, where police, housing officers, and other agencies meet nuisance neighbours to assess the problem and decide what action to take.
CANAct manager Steve Kilsby said the team could make a difference in Rose Hill and other areas. He added: "One case is well known now where vigilantes took action against alleged drug dealers. We can intervene in cases like this. We will look to change people's behaviour."
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