0:00:02 > 0:00:03It just doesn't quite feel safe.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05'Everyone deserves a safe place to live.'
0:00:05 > 0:00:07What's it like for you living here?
0:00:07 > 0:00:10'But with rents rising and demand increasing,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13'it's getting harder and harder to find a secure place to call home.'
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Passers-by have used these as toilets.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19- There's clear evidence...- There's someone living down here.- Yep.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22'I'm Matt Allwright and I'm back with The Housing Enforcers.'
0:00:22 > 0:00:26There are definitely fleas here, there's infestation.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30He was trying to make this into a home and then it just all went horribly wrong.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31'I'm on the front line with those
0:00:31 > 0:00:33'fighting for the right for decent housing...'
0:00:33 > 0:00:36You can actually see the floorboards.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39'..as local councils and housing associations battle problem
0:00:39 > 0:00:41'properties and slum conditions...'
0:00:41 > 0:00:43- Are you ready for this, are you? - I don't know.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45'..as they deal with dodgy landlords...'
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- So, that's a dead rat. - What am I going to do?
0:00:48 > 0:00:50'..nightmare neighbours...'
0:00:50 > 0:00:53There's a good chance that people will be getting evicted.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- Get rid of him! - '..and everything in between...'
0:00:55 > 0:00:57- I think that's referred to as a bong.- A bong! Right. OK.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- A makeshift bong. - Yeah, a makeshift bong.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03'..to help those in need of a happy and healthy home.'
0:01:03 > 0:01:06There's something strange in your neighbourhood.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Who you gonna call?
0:01:11 > 0:01:13That's the one.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16'Today we find what could be Britain's filthiest home.'
0:01:16 > 0:01:19The overwhelming smell here is disgusting.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24Here we are. Standing on a house-high pile
0:01:24 > 0:01:27of faeces and cider cans.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31'And we see how housing enforcers are using CCTV as a weapon in
0:01:31 > 0:01:35'the fight against antisocial behaviour.'
0:01:35 > 0:01:38I've been terrified, petrified, you name it,
0:01:38 > 0:01:40we've had all the emotions this time.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43All hell broke loose and I could hear somebody screaming.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45There was blood everywhere in the hallway.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52It used to be so straightforward.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56You leave education, you get yourself a job and then settle down
0:01:56 > 0:02:00once you've found a house or flat, and even though happily ever after
0:02:00 > 0:02:05wasn't guaranteed, you could usually depend on getting an affordable and
0:02:05 > 0:02:07safe place to live.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Well, it's no secret that thanks to the housing crisis,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12today things are a bit more complicated.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15But there are men and women across the UK whose job it is to ensure
0:02:15 > 0:02:20that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a safe roof over their heads.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Every day they're out fighting for your rights.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25They are the housing enforcers.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31In Kent I'm spending the day with Swale Borough Council housing
0:02:31 > 0:02:33officer Glyn Pritchard,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36inspecting a private residence that's now empty but has still been
0:02:36 > 0:02:39attracting complaints from the neighbours.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Glyn's got 25 years' experience under his belt so it's a pretty
0:02:42 > 0:02:45safe bet he's seen it all in his time.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- Until today, that is. - That's the one.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52You can see from the outside that normally when it looks worse than
0:02:52 > 0:02:54the rest, there's usually reasons for it.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56So what's the scenario here?
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Why are we here?
0:02:58 > 0:03:00The neighbours complained last year.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04The police entered the property to try and find if he was in there
0:03:04 > 0:03:07because the resident hadn't been seen for a while.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09So there were concerns over him.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12They then contacted us to say there was a problem with the condition of
0:03:12 > 0:03:16the property, so we then started to try and contact the owner
0:03:16 > 0:03:18but he wasn't living at the property.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21We couldn't get in, but we could see through the window.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Just so I'm clear again,
0:03:23 > 0:03:27it was in a state a year ago and no-one's been in,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29we think, in that year?
0:03:29 > 0:03:33No. We have served legal notice twice to try and resolve
0:03:33 > 0:03:37the issue and, ultimately, he still didn't do the work,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40so we've had to get a warrant to get in and now we're actually executing
0:03:40 > 0:03:43the warrant to get into the property.
0:03:44 > 0:03:45'OK. Now I'm really worried.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48'Glyn wants us to enter a property that hasn't been touched in over a
0:03:48 > 0:03:51'year with no idea of what's inside
0:03:51 > 0:03:53'and he's clearly taking it very seriously.'
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Protective mask, gloves.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58What I will do is...
0:03:58 > 0:04:02We tend to spray ourselves, just in case of any insects, bugs,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05fleas or anything like that.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Top to bottom with it.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10After doing it for 25 years, I cover myself!
0:04:10 > 0:04:12THEY LAUGH
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- I've never taken anything home yet.- Right.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- These are nice, aren't they? - Here we go.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- Enter.- You lead the way.- I'll lead the way and see what we can find.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25'Despite the protective gear, I'm still feeling nervous.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29'Especially when I discover how Glyn's expecting us to get into the house.'
0:04:29 > 0:04:31We've got a window open at the moment.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- Is that the way in? - That's one way in.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- Right.- The other way is the door, which is a very tight squeeze.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42It's not much of a choice, is it, really?
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Glyn, you know the bit I really like?
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Amongst all of this stuff which is already
0:04:48 > 0:04:52humming, there are just, there are two air fresheners.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55'Glyn's decided that we are going to have to go through
0:04:55 > 0:04:59'the window with this one. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?'
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- Oh, my God!- Have you seen it?
0:05:02 > 0:05:04That's just like...
0:05:04 > 0:05:07It's about four, five foot high.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Oh, my God. That's incredible!
0:05:10 > 0:05:13All I can see is
0:05:13 > 0:05:16cider cans, videos, and tissues.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19How can one person drink so much cider?
0:05:19 > 0:05:24'And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse...'
0:05:24 > 0:05:25Oh, no!
0:05:25 > 0:05:28We're not sure, but those could be full of
0:05:28 > 0:05:31other things other than food in Tupperware.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35It's not food in there, why put it in Tupperware?
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Why keep it?
0:05:38 > 0:05:41That's...the opposite of what you have to do with that.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44You're supposed to flush it away, not preserve it.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49'Faced with a cocktail of cider cans and human waste,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52'I'm not looking forward to going inside.'
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- You going in that way? - I'm going to go in.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08It is fairly high and we're looking at least five foot in here.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Right. OK. I'm going to have to go in.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16If Glyn can do this, I can do this.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20I'm going in.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Get in from outside, hold on to the top.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31'It's not the most graceful way to get in, but it's nothing compared
0:06:31 > 0:06:33'to what I'm about to face.'
0:06:35 > 0:06:40There's, like, the only safe place to step here is
0:06:40 > 0:06:44on videos. You're stepping on videos,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47DVDs and you just about get away with it.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Everything else, everything else is disgusting.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53The overwhelming smell
0:06:53 > 0:06:56here is of fermenting apples and faeces.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01I've never been able to touch a ceiling standing on the rubbish
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- before, that's a new one on me. - Difficult to avoid it.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07At that point there that's got to be five foot.
0:07:08 > 0:07:14It's probably the one I've seen the highest with alcohol cans.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Faeces...isn't an issue, that's standard.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Faeces IS an issue, Glyn. Where are you going to start with this?
0:07:21 > 0:07:23How can you begin to do this?
0:07:23 > 0:07:27'Glyn's experience is doing a good job of keeping him calm.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29'Well, calmer than me, anyway.'
0:07:29 > 0:07:32'Personally, I'm not sure I would ever be able to get used to a scene
0:07:32 > 0:07:35'like this, even after 25 years on the job.'
0:07:35 > 0:07:37You are kidding me!
0:07:37 > 0:07:40I mean, don't get me wrong, of a weekend,
0:07:40 > 0:07:42I enjoy watching a film, yeah?
0:07:42 > 0:07:45I even enjoy the odd can of cider from time to time.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48This is taking it too far!
0:07:48 > 0:07:50You know what I saw here?
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Down here, mixed in amongst this?
0:07:52 > 0:07:56A set of those clippers for doing your nasal hair.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Well, I wouldn't want to use them.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00No, but I would say that's fine tuning.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03When you've got a pile, a five-foot pile in your living room
0:08:03 > 0:08:06of cider cans, faeces in Tupperware,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08don't worry about the nasal hair thing.
0:08:11 > 0:08:12Where are we going?
0:08:14 > 0:08:19At the moment, I think possibly the safest bet is upstairs.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24'Join me later to discover if it can possibly get any worse.'
0:08:24 > 0:08:29Here we are, standing on a house-high pile of faeces.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33There's definitely evidence of mice, rats.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37This is like a combat zone, it's like he's declared war
0:08:37 > 0:08:39on the house and himself.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47Anti-social behaviour. Three little words that can mean a whole lot of
0:08:47 > 0:08:50trouble for both tenants and housing officers.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53For tenants, it's no fun living next door to noisy neighbours,
0:08:53 > 0:08:57overgrown gardens or having a collection of refuse dumped
0:08:57 > 0:09:00unceremoniously on your doorstep.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02And for the housing officer,
0:09:02 > 0:09:06well, tackling antisocial behaviour can mean having to play
0:09:06 > 0:09:10the role of policeman, diplomat and counsellor,
0:09:10 > 0:09:11all rolled into one.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Here in Newcastle,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19one housing association has come up with a special scheme to help combat
0:09:19 > 0:09:21antisocial behaviour.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25The use of CCTV to protect tenants is nothing new, of course,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27but here in the North East,
0:09:27 > 0:09:29housing officer Laurie Edmundson
0:09:29 > 0:09:31helps run the Eyewitness Programme,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34where specially employed teams are also on hand to help in the battle
0:09:34 > 0:09:37against loud noise and unruly neighbours.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43OK, so, Eyewitnesses, they're called.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Are they uniformed?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- Are they identifiable? - No, and that's part of it.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50They're completely plain clothes,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53in a normal car and it's out-of-hours for people who
0:09:53 > 0:09:55are experiencing antisocial behaviour,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58so the idea is they call in to our
0:09:58 > 0:10:01out-of-hours provider, they take the details of what's going on,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04an incident that's happening then and there and we send out an officer
0:10:04 > 0:10:08who will go out as a third-party person, see what's happening,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12giving us, you know, on occasion, fantastic evidence.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16That evidence can then be given by that Eyewitness officer in court if
0:10:16 > 0:10:18we need it and it removes that victim.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Why is that approach needed, then?
0:10:20 > 0:10:25Why not just call the police or somebody else that could take that
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- evidence as well? - I mean, don't get us wrong,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30we do promote people ringing the police and always will, but
0:10:30 > 0:10:33we want to know what's going on in our estates and
0:10:33 > 0:10:35what antisocial behaviour is happening,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38to be able to have that evidence for us for the start of the next working
0:10:38 > 0:10:41day to be able to go out and challenge people on their behaviour.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45'The specially trained Eyewitness officers are on call every night.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49'Equipped with camera and sound gear, they can record evidence as an
0:10:49 > 0:10:51'incident happens.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52'It's a great idea, but does it work?
0:10:52 > 0:10:58'Antisocial behaviour, from what I've seen, is incredibly difficult
0:10:58 > 0:11:00'to prove for all sorts of reasons,
0:11:00 > 0:11:04'being there at the time when it happens and also people's
0:11:04 > 0:11:08'willingness to come forward. This sounds like it could be an answer.'
0:11:08 > 0:11:12You're right, it can be difficult to prove one word against another but
0:11:12 > 0:11:16therefore if you put an Eyewitness officer in who can witness it
0:11:16 > 0:11:19themselves, and give us that evidence, you know,
0:11:19 > 0:11:21the job's a winner in that respect.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24And we've had fantastic results from the service.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28'Laurie is clearly a big fan of the scheme and as night falls,
0:11:28 > 0:11:32'I take on the challenge of manning the antisocial behaviour hotline
0:11:32 > 0:11:35'myself, alongside Eyewitness agent, Kev.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38'For obvious reasons we've disguised his identity.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41'It's not long before a call comes in.'
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Champion, right, I'll set off there.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Cheers, cheers, mate. Thanks, ta-ra, now.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53Basically the caller is saying that there's a group of kids who've been
0:11:53 > 0:11:56drinking, climbing over the wall into the car park behind
0:11:56 > 0:11:59and that caused a disturbance and they're still there now.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03'We're responding to an incident in central Newcastle.'
0:12:07 > 0:12:10There's something strange in your neighbourhood.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11Who you gonna call?
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- Call me.- Yeah, call... Call Kev!
0:12:23 > 0:12:26So at this stage, then, what's going through your mind?
0:12:26 > 0:12:30At this stage I'm sort of assessing firstly the area that I'm going to.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35I wouldn't be out of place because it's the city centre whereas
0:12:35 > 0:12:39a housing estate, it's a little bit like going into a pub, your local,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42when you're not a local - everybody looks at you.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Sometimes housing estates are like that.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47It's in a public place so there'll be lots of people driving past and
0:12:47 > 0:12:51walking past anyway so it makes me think, well, I should
0:12:51 > 0:12:53be OK to monitor what's going on.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Hopefully they'll still be there.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01I mean, you're there to witness but it does mean you put yourself in a
0:13:01 > 0:13:05degree of danger, there's a degree of risk involved with the places
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- you're going?- Very much so. It can be quite intimidating.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12You've got to really try and get in close and get some evidence and
0:13:12 > 0:13:16sometimes it means climbing up walls and crawling through gardens.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19'Kev's really putting his neck on the line to help local residents.'
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Once I'm past the wall,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24I'll find somewhere to ditch the car and approach on foot.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26It's behind...
0:13:26 > 0:13:28this is it here.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31So, because there doesn't appear to be anybody.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Are you talking about the wall at the back there?
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Yeah. There's a car park at the back.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39'We think we've found the location. But as yet, we can't spot
0:13:39 > 0:13:41'any antisocial behaviour.'
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I am going to take a little walk with Kev and
0:13:43 > 0:13:46see what we can see, but it's best if the cameras stay here,
0:13:46 > 0:13:48we don't want to draw too much attention.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54'Time for a good look around.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57'Will we find the noisy youths?'
0:14:11 > 0:14:16So, we took a stroll around the property and nothing to be seen at
0:14:16 > 0:14:17- this stage.- We'd normally hang around,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21but there isn't any reason to hang around because there's nothing here.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25If nothing else, we can go back to the office and report whatever it
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- was has gone away.- Yes.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31'It looks like we just missed out on finding the source of
0:14:31 > 0:14:35'the disturbance, but it's a huge reassurance for housing association
0:14:35 > 0:14:38'residents of the North East to know there are special officers on hand
0:14:38 > 0:14:41'when antisocial behaviour happens.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45'Later, we'll be seeing how this new scheme has helped tenants Brian and
0:14:45 > 0:14:47'Angela, after a nightmare weekend leaves them shaken.'
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Been terrified.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Petrified. You name it. We've had all the emotions this time.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57All hell broke lose and I could hear somebody screaming.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59There's blood everywhere in the hallway.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09'Earlier, in Swale, I joined housing officer Glyn Pritchard,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12'inspecting the worst house I've ever seen,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14'abandoned by its owner more than a year ago.'
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Oh, no!
0:15:18 > 0:15:20That's not food in there!
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Why put it in Tupperware?
0:15:22 > 0:15:25The overwhelming smell
0:15:25 > 0:15:28here is of fermenting apples and faeces.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32'The living room is in an absolutely shocking state.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38'And things don't improve as we pick our way upstairs.'
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Oh, my God, there's like a whole thing of clothes!
0:15:42 > 0:15:46Now, we're into... this is the wardrobe area.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48- Yes.- Oh, my God!
0:15:48 > 0:15:52I think this is probably going to be it.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Because every room's the same.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57That room you can't get in to.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02That room is exactly the same as downstairs.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06'And it appears the toilet arrangements are the same up here, too.'
0:16:07 > 0:16:10All the excrement, everything is in bags.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12There's an old quilt.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15There's definitely evidence of mice, rats.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16Even the rats wouldn't live in this!
0:16:18 > 0:16:21This is like a combat zone.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24It's like he's declared war on the house and himself.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26Here we are,
0:16:26 > 0:16:31standing on a, you know, a house-high pile
0:16:31 > 0:16:33of faeces and cider cans.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38The smell is overwhelming, because downstairs it was mostly cider.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- Up here it's...- Up here, you've definitely got...
0:16:41 > 0:16:43This is why I won't go any further now.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Because you've definitely got all the excrement up here,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48which is where the problems have been.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50I haven't seen anything like this.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54It's just the sheer quantity of stuff.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55And I think possibly
0:16:55 > 0:16:59the only clear place is the loft.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04What do we need to assess, realistically, looking at the job?
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Realistically now, this is a full house clearance.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10So, it's a contractor in and literally they're going to have to
0:17:10 > 0:17:12strip the whole lot.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17There is probably nothing that is salvageable in here.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22I can't imagine that you could even leave the floorboards in this place.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Everything's got to be deep cleansed to get it back to any kind of...
0:17:25 > 0:17:27We work on that basis -
0:17:27 > 0:17:29get the rubbish out first
0:17:29 > 0:17:32and then we go from there and just work on that process.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37'It might be because of the shock of the mess,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39'or the smell of a year's worth of human waste,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43'but either way it's really hard to get my head around what could have
0:17:43 > 0:17:45'happened to the owner that would
0:17:45 > 0:17:47'make him treat his own home in this way.'
0:17:47 > 0:17:52You know, we've had hoarders before that we've seen and we've seen people who
0:17:52 > 0:17:56clearly have, you know, illnesses that they're trying to get past,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59which affect their behaviour and the rest of it.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- What's going on with somebody that lives like this?- We don't know.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05I know this is not your job. Your job's to come here, make it better,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08but you can't come in somewhere like this and not think to yourself,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11what on earth is going on in this guy's head?
0:18:11 > 0:18:14The thing is, without being able to talk to him, usually you can assess,
0:18:14 > 0:18:19you can find, but on this instance we can't even get that, you
0:18:19 > 0:18:22know, dialogue going with him.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24So, we need to work from there.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27At what point does he lose the right to have this property?
0:18:27 > 0:18:30I mean, it's going to be affecting your next door neighbours,
0:18:30 > 0:18:34and if he comes back in and does the same thing again,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37at some point, do you lose the right to own this property?
0:18:37 > 0:18:39If we can get a debt on the property,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41under certain circumstances
0:18:41 > 0:18:45we can go through an enforced sale-type procedure.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48We can work with him, being an empty property,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51to bring it up to standard and possibly get him to rent it out.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56And, ultimately, compulsory purchase is something that is there,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58but that will be a long, drawn-out process.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02Because the work that it's going to take to put this back
0:19:02 > 0:19:06in any habitable form is going to be very expensive, isn't it?
0:19:06 > 0:19:08- Yes.- Talking about thousands.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10Just the clearance will probably be in the thousands.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Have we done everything we need to do in this property?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16I can't go any further and I can't take you any further.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Can we please go?
0:19:18 > 0:19:22I, I can't see any more of this and I certainly can't smell any more.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24It is a tragic situation,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27but the pressing problem now is how to sort this place out
0:19:27 > 0:19:31so it's no longer affecting the neighbours.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32Oh, God!
0:19:38 > 0:19:41I've never seen anything like that.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46Tissues, Tupperware and just terrible, terrible filth.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51You know, if it was, if it was standing by itself, freestanding,
0:19:51 > 0:19:57detached, my honest reaction would be - knock the whole thing down.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Just put everything into a skip and just get rid of it.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07'But fortunately Glyn's 25 years of experience means he's able to offer
0:20:07 > 0:20:09'a more practical solution,
0:20:09 > 0:20:13'one that involves making the owner take responsibility for this mess.'
0:20:13 > 0:20:15We'll get it cleared.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19It will be reasonably expensive but we will be recovering it off the
0:20:19 > 0:20:21owner. He's had the opportunity to clear it.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24We've given him two notices in the past.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Hasn't done it and we're left with no alternative.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28That's going to be the next step.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31To get this place back into use - that's our main aim.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35To satisfy and keep things from the neighbours, so they're happier.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38I really appreciate it. And you can have your gloves back.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40- We'll find some clean ones for you next time.- Thank you very much.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46'That's the other important thing about this disgusting tale.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48'It's one thing to destroy our own standard of living.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52'It's quite another to start affecting your neighbours, too.'
0:20:52 > 0:20:57So, you've lived next door to all of that - how's that been for you?
0:20:57 > 0:20:58It's just awful.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- And it turned into a tourist attraction.- Really?- It really did.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- You got people coming here to see that?- They were coming up.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Trawling up the garden path, looking through the window,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11because people could not believe what was in there.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13It is quite extraordinary.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16But just to be clear, you've had mice coming across?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- Yes.- And...
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Rats in the garden, as big as cats.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24You knew it was bad when the postman, he said, "That's it,
0:21:24 > 0:21:28"I'm not delivering here any more because I cannot get up this garden path."
0:21:28 > 0:21:31I mean, the smell coming from there, I mean, I can smell it now.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- Yeah.- And you've got that all day, every day.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36Well, you get used to it.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39'No-one should have to get used to it.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44'Catch up later to see how Glyn manages to get a grip on the grime.'
0:21:44 > 0:21:47It is something that we've got to do and we've got to,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49we've just found a dead rat.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52He's been dead a fair while by the looks of it.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00'Defending our right to a safe place to live is the job of housing
0:22:00 > 0:22:03'officers right across the UK.' You've done a great thing.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07- You've done a superb thing.- It's like a red rag to a bull, isn't it?
0:22:07 > 0:22:08Doing something like that.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12'I'm working alongside the men and women that do exactly that...'
0:22:12 > 0:22:14There's a window open there as well.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- Not so bad. Seen worse. - '..hitting the streets,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20'finding out what's happening on the front line...'
0:22:20 > 0:22:23The smell around here is really strong.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28'..as we make sure a house is a fit place to call a home.'
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Oh, so you've got a choice.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- Tomahawk of some sort.- Choice of a tomahawk or the bayonet.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38So, that's a parting shot, is it, from the tenant?
0:22:44 > 0:22:48'Earlier we saw how a Newcastle housing association is helping to
0:22:48 > 0:22:51'keep its residents safe by using independent Eyewitnesses to deal
0:22:51 > 0:22:53'with antisocial behaviour.'
0:22:55 > 0:22:58It can be quite intimidating.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02You've got to really try and get in close and get some evidence.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06And sometimes it means climbing over walls and crawling through gardens.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09'Today, we're close to the Scottish Border,
0:23:09 > 0:23:13'heading to the most northerly town in England, Berwick-upon-Tweed.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18'Lindsay Jones and Geoff Johnston are following up on a recent
0:23:18 > 0:23:21'late-night callout for one of their Eyewitness officers.'
0:23:21 > 0:23:25The reports that we got through were quite concerning -
0:23:25 > 0:23:28there was an assault, fighting on the communal staircase,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31loud music, shouting.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Got so bad at one stage that the police were called.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37We had an Eyewitness officer deployed who actually witnessed some
0:23:37 > 0:23:41noise coming from one of the flats in there. Bearing in mind this was
0:23:41 > 0:23:43only 6.30am, it was the aftermath of
0:23:43 > 0:23:47a long night of disturbances, unfortunately.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Ideally today I want to try and review the CCTV footage
0:23:51 > 0:23:53that we have installed
0:23:53 > 0:23:57and see what evidence that brings to light.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Hopefully we'll be able to identify those involved and take the
0:24:00 > 0:24:01appropriate action.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04'There's an ongoing problem at these flats,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07'so the housing association has installed its own cameras.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11'CCTV, along with the Eyewitness scheme,
0:24:11 > 0:24:15'should help to clamp down on unruly residents.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19'The late-night antics and violent outbursts have been wreaking
0:24:19 > 0:24:23'havoc on long-suffering residents like Brian and Angela.'
0:24:26 > 0:24:29We've come in response to what occurred over the weekend.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Really we just want to get from you exactly what occurred and who was
0:24:32 > 0:24:34involved, if you know.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37This has been a nightmare weekend, absolutely nonstop.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42Been terrified, petrified, you name it, we've had all the emotions this time.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47It all started Friday night, yeah?
0:24:47 > 0:24:51About half past nine, all hell broke loose, big fight,
0:24:51 > 0:24:55things smashed all over the place, her screaming her head off.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59He ran out after about 20 minutes, she chased him with a bottle.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03At some point they locked her out of that flat,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05because she was booting at the door, "Open the door, let us in,"
0:25:05 > 0:25:08and she was kicking at the door.
0:25:08 > 0:25:14'Late-night noise in one of the flats escalated into violence.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17'I can only imagine what a terrifying ordeal it must be to hear
0:25:17 > 0:25:20'all of that going on outside your front door.'
0:25:22 > 0:25:25All hell broke loose and I could hear somebody screaming.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27There's blood everywhere in the hallway.
0:25:27 > 0:25:33And he was screaming that he wasn't happy and that he was going to go
0:25:33 > 0:25:34and get the police.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37This particular part of the disturbance went on for a good few
0:25:37 > 0:25:39hours, I'm guessing, from what you describe?
0:25:39 > 0:25:42It just went on all night. Right through to seven in the morning.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45'To make matters even worse,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47'the chaos wasn't contained to a single flat.'
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- And that's when the party started. - That's when the party started.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53They were all fighting in that flat as well.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57So there were two separate incidents, really, weren't there?
0:25:57 > 0:25:59'If fighting and screaming throughout the night wasn't bad
0:25:59 > 0:26:03'enough, they also set off the fire alarm for three hours.'
0:26:03 > 0:26:06ALARM WAILS
0:26:06 > 0:26:08'Brian is in poor health,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11'and incidents like this are adding to the stress he's already under.'
0:26:11 > 0:26:14I mean, it's not on, it's totally unacceptable
0:26:14 > 0:26:17and you shouldn't have to live like that,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19and we'll do our best to make sure.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22That was the scariest time for me, fire alarms blaring.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26I can't get up the stairs to see where the fire is,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29if there is a fire, so I have to call the fire brigade,
0:26:29 > 0:26:33and I'm panicking because I need more time to get out, you know,
0:26:33 > 0:26:35get ready and stuff.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39It's so depressing.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43This was a lovely place to stay. I can honestly say it's not now.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46'Feeling terrorised by their neighbours,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50'Brian and Angela are hoping that this new scheme will help to bring
0:26:50 > 0:26:51'an end to their misery.'
0:26:51 > 0:26:54I've spoken to the police and they are keen to meet with us so
0:26:54 > 0:26:57we can work together to address the problems.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Hopefully we'll be able to share what information we need to share
0:27:00 > 0:27:03and progress things quite quickly.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06It's all on camera, it's all there to see.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Hopefully it will identify exactly who's been involved,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11given the serious nature of what occurred over the weekend.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15If we can gather the evidence then we'll certainly be taking the appropriate action.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17'And in this case that would certainly mean eviction
0:27:17 > 0:27:19'for the guilty party.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23'The CCTV footage, along with the Eyewitness account,
0:27:23 > 0:27:26'should identify the main troublemakers.'
0:27:28 > 0:27:30'But, for now, Geoff and Lindsay want to hear what
0:27:30 > 0:27:33'the alleged culprits have to say for themselves.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37'No joy at the first flat thought to be involved.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42'But, at the second, the tenant is home.'
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Catherine, it's Geoff and Lindsay from ISOS.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- Got a couple of minutes? - Yeah, that's fine, yeah.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Just wanted to come and have a chat with you about the events that
0:27:53 > 0:27:54happened over the weekend.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59We've had an out-of-hours report received and an Eyewitness officer
0:27:59 > 0:28:02attended in the early hours of Saturday morning
0:28:02 > 0:28:06- hearing noise coming from this property.- Yeah.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Can you tell us what was happening?
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Somebody buzzed and he just kicked off,
0:28:10 > 0:28:12started beating people up in the building.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- Were people in your flat at that time?- I had two friends here.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19The Eyewitness officer made a number of sound recordings,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21people singing and carrying on.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23Were you aware that you were making that much noise?
0:28:23 > 0:28:25I wasn't aware anybody was singing, so...
0:28:25 > 0:28:29But I know down the stairs there were people in that flat as well,
0:28:29 > 0:28:30- so I don't know.- Right, OK,
0:28:30 > 0:28:34but as far as you're concerned there was no noise coming from your flat?
0:28:34 > 0:28:37I definitely don't remember anybody singing, anyway.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39- That's for sure.- Yeah.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43'Although Catherine wasn't involved in any of the violence
0:28:43 > 0:28:45'that Brian and Angela reported,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48'Geoff and Lindsay are still concerned about allegations of
0:28:48 > 0:28:50'loud noise coming from her flat.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53'That's still clearly antisocial behaviour.'
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Obviously we've discussed the situation with regard to your
0:28:56 > 0:29:00tenancy before, and inviting people back and the noise issues.
0:29:00 > 0:29:05We're just a bit concerned that there seems to be a bit of escalation in
0:29:05 > 0:29:09what's been going on here and the problems seem to have worsened.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12We're in the process of gathering evidence at the moment through
0:29:12 > 0:29:14the CCTV that we've got.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Obviously if there's anything
0:29:16 > 0:29:18that points towards issues concerning your
0:29:18 > 0:29:22tenancy or visitors who have been coming to your property,
0:29:22 > 0:29:26we will be looking at taking a more serious tenancy action
0:29:26 > 0:29:28if the situation warrants it.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Have you got anything you want to add to that at this
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- moment?- No.- Sure?- Yeah.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36- Thanks for your time.- Thanks.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Speak to you again soon.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43'For those subjected to it,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46'antisocial behaviour can be hugely upsetting.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50'Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home.'
0:29:50 > 0:29:53It's the behaviour of a few, I don't think they understand
0:29:53 > 0:29:57the impact their behaviour can cause and the distress it
0:29:57 > 0:30:00can cause a person trying to go about their normal life.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Certainly I wouldn't like to be disturbed the hours
0:30:03 > 0:30:05he's getting disturbed at the moment,
0:30:05 > 0:30:08and it's our job to try and ensure that these problems are resolved as
0:30:08 > 0:30:12quickly as possible. We've issued tenancy warnings in the past.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15If those involved have already had a previous warning,
0:30:15 > 0:30:17potentially we'd be looking at taking stronger action,
0:30:17 > 0:30:21which may ultimately be a notice against their tenancy,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24which would ultimately lead to court action,
0:30:24 > 0:30:27hopefully to gain possession of the property back,
0:30:27 > 0:30:31but again that will depend on the evidence we have and exactly what comes forward.
0:30:31 > 0:30:32We'll go back to the office,
0:30:32 > 0:30:36review the CCTV footage that we've got,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38and we'll take the action against
0:30:38 > 0:30:41those that we have the evidence to pursue.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45'Later on, the CCTV footage reveals more than we'd bargained for.'
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Have we identified who that was coming out of the door?
0:30:47 > 0:30:52We have identified the person, and we'll be seeking possession of the property.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02'Earlier, I visited an abandoned house of filth so disgusting it even
0:31:02 > 0:31:05'left experienced housing officer Glyn Prichard shocked.'
0:31:05 > 0:31:08All the excrement, everything is in bags.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11I can't go any further, and I can't take you any further.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Can we please go?!
0:31:17 > 0:31:20'Well, the good news is that Glyn is back, and I'm not,
0:31:20 > 0:31:21'and he's managed to convince some
0:31:21 > 0:31:24'very brave souls to help him clear the house.'
0:31:24 > 0:31:26Today we've got the contractors in,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28we're busy doing all the clear-up.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31The owner still hasn't responded to us and, as you can see,
0:31:31 > 0:31:35at the moment they can't even get into the property still.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38We've been here about 45 minutes so far.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42How long do we think it's going to take?
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- Couple of days?- Two or three days at least.- Two or three days.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48We haven't even made a dent to get in through the front door yet.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51'But the task is proving a little easier said than done.'
0:31:53 > 0:31:55I'm actually hitting the floor.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59One of the precautions they've got to take is that we know there is
0:31:59 > 0:32:01mice and rats been in the property,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04so they will take that necessary precaution.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06They are not going to be eating their sandwiches straight after
0:32:06 > 0:32:09being in there without washing their hands or anything.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13But it is something that we've got to do...
0:32:13 > 0:32:15And we've just found a dead rat.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20He's been dead a fair while, by the looks of it.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22Yeah, it's quite a big one.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26'Given the scale of the challenge, the team aren't taking any chances.'
0:32:26 > 0:32:28You just don't know what's in there,
0:32:28 > 0:32:31and it's all mould and it's all things like that,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34and that's what's really going to affect your health in there, so,
0:32:34 > 0:32:36yeah, you do have to take precautions.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39I'm not actually going to go into the property,
0:32:39 > 0:32:40I'll let them get on with their job,
0:32:40 > 0:32:43and I'll go and supervise a bit further into the clean!
0:32:43 > 0:32:47'Very smart man, Glyn. Let the experts take charge.'
0:32:47 > 0:32:48Yeah, getting there, slowly.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52Just get in and go as far as we can get.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58It doesn't really bother me, but it's the smell,
0:32:58 > 0:33:00you just stink of it afterwards as well.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02You keep on smelling that smell.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07'The incredible thing is that the telly is still on standby.'
0:33:07 > 0:33:09Where's the remote?!
0:33:14 > 0:33:17There you are, we've got a telly.
0:33:17 > 0:33:18Oh, it's got no signal.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20HE CHUCKLES
0:33:22 > 0:33:25'While Glyn takes a less hands-on approach,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28'the guys inside find an interesting clue that tells them just how long
0:33:28 > 0:33:31'it's been since the place enjoyed a spring clean.'
0:33:31 > 0:33:35January 2007. Eight and a half years ago.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41Well, we've managed to get through to some of the furniture, which,
0:33:41 > 0:33:44looking at the state of it, is rotted to high heaven.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Whatever's at the bottom of there,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50it's not going to be anything salvageable, it is that far gone.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Which will probably mean all the carpets have gone as well,
0:33:53 > 0:33:54so they'll all have to come up.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58'With the contractors succeeding in clearing safe passage inside,
0:33:58 > 0:34:01'Glyn decides it's now time to brave going in.'
0:34:02 > 0:34:06Oh, I have to wipe my feet before I come in now, it's that clean so far!
0:34:08 > 0:34:11So, yeah, you've made a bit of progress in here.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14I was going to say, can we actually tell what colour the carpet is?
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Well, pink over there, green there, and blue over there.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18So I'm going blue at the moment.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Yeah, nothing worth salvaging at all.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25I don't think they're going to get a refund for that.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28'It's clearly a thankless task for everyone involved,
0:34:28 > 0:34:30'and the progress is slow but sure.'
0:34:30 > 0:34:33That's the first skip gone, so hopefully...
0:34:34 > 0:34:36..it gets easier.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40'Someone else who's clearly delighted
0:34:40 > 0:34:43'to see the back of the rubbish is neighbour Terry.'
0:34:44 > 0:34:49Incredible. I'm so glad the council have really got their act together
0:34:49 > 0:34:52on our behalf and have made a good job of it.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57It was very deceiving, because when you looked through the window you
0:34:57 > 0:35:01saw what you thought was a fair bit,
0:35:01 > 0:35:03but when it starts coming out,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06it was two or three mountains
0:35:06 > 0:35:08and, as you can see,
0:35:08 > 0:35:11what's in here is just a small part
0:35:11 > 0:35:13of what's been taken out of this house.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18And they're still at it, the boys.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24'Let's just hope they can keep going. Look at it.'
0:35:28 > 0:35:30'One week later and Glyn is back.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34'The contractors have gone, but what about the rubbish?'
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Cleared up, and they've done a pretty good job.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41There's a path, I didn't even know there was a path here.
0:35:41 > 0:35:42'It's a good start,
0:35:42 > 0:35:46'but let's see if Glyn can get into the house using the front door.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48'He's got his nice jacket on.'
0:35:48 > 0:35:51And that's what the door actually looks like properly.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53And I can actually open the door.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57'As they say in all the best makeover shows,
0:35:57 > 0:35:58'here comes the reveal.'
0:35:58 > 0:36:00CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS
0:36:00 > 0:36:02'The difference is amazing.'
0:36:02 > 0:36:06And the staircase, which I think had rubbish up to about here...
0:36:08 > 0:36:10..you can actually see.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Couldn't get to the kitchen the first time because we had to walk
0:36:13 > 0:36:18down a pile, and we have a kitchen.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23Yeah, they earned their money doing this job, that was for certain.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27'No kidding. Upstairs, where it was, well, horrible...
0:36:28 > 0:36:30'..just take a look.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36'The bathroom is a bathroom again.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43'It's amazing that a mess that took years to create has been removed in
0:36:43 > 0:36:45'just under a week.'
0:36:45 > 0:36:49If somebody saw it now they wouldn't realise what was in here or what had
0:36:49 > 0:36:51actually happened in here.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55'Which just leaves the small matter of what happens next.'
0:36:55 > 0:36:57If the owner did turn up tomorrow,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00the first thing we'd be doing is give him the bill.
0:37:00 > 0:37:05If he still chooses not to pay it or doesn't contact us or discuss it
0:37:05 > 0:37:08with us, we have the ability to put it as a charge
0:37:08 > 0:37:11on the property and/or take him to court.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14'Well, even if the owner never bothers to return,
0:37:14 > 0:37:17'there are plenty of very happy neighbours who I'm sure would give
0:37:17 > 0:37:19'you a pat on the back, Glyn.'
0:37:19 > 0:37:22From our point of view, it's a good job well done.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30'Earlier in Northumberland,
0:37:30 > 0:37:34'we visited Berwick-upon-Tweed where late-night noise and outbreaks of
0:37:34 > 0:37:37'violence were terrorising social housing residents.'
0:37:39 > 0:37:43All hell broke loose and I could hear somebody screaming.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45There was blood everywhere in the hallway.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48This was a lovely place to stay.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51I can honestly say it's not now.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56'So far we've seen how an Eyewitness account can be an invaluable tool
0:37:56 > 0:37:59'when trying to get to the bottom of antisocial behaviour.
0:37:59 > 0:38:04'When coupled with CCTV footage, the evidence can be irrefutable.'
0:38:06 > 0:38:09'I've come to the housing association offices to catch up
0:38:09 > 0:38:12'with Geoff and take a look at the CCTV from the night in question.'
0:38:12 > 0:38:16Just remind us what the situation was.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19- What was going on?- We'd received a report of some serious antisocial
0:38:19 > 0:38:23behaviour over the weekend and responded to that,
0:38:23 > 0:38:28going up interviewing a few of the complainants and interviewed one of
0:38:28 > 0:38:29the alleged perpetrators,
0:38:29 > 0:38:33as well as reviewing some of the CCTV that we'd had installed up at
0:38:33 > 0:38:37one of the blocks up there as well. An Eyewitness officer was called,
0:38:37 > 0:38:41around about half past six in the morning and witnessed a
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- full party ongoing... - At half past six in the morning?
0:38:44 > 0:38:46At half past six in the morning.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47..and was able to give us a few
0:38:47 > 0:38:51- recordings and a statement of exactly what they saw.- OK.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53So at that stage we've got some of the evidence...
0:38:54 > 0:38:57..but then the CCTV provides us with something else.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01- That's right, yeah.- 'The Eyewitness evidence alerted the team to two
0:39:01 > 0:39:05'incidents, one of violent behaviour and the other, excessive noise.'
0:39:05 > 0:39:09'Let's see what the CCTV revealed about the first allegation.'
0:39:09 > 0:39:11- Shall we have a look? - Yep, absolutely.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13- Talk me through it.- Right.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17Well, the first clip, it's basically just picking up some of the noise,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20given the time - the recording is half past five in the morning,
0:39:20 > 0:39:22but the music is actually within that block,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24the camera is located outside,
0:39:24 > 0:39:26so it should give you an idea of how loud your disturbance was.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- That's...- At quarter to six in the morning.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Somebody again trying to gain access to the party.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35He was outside for half an hour trying to get in.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39'So at the moment it just looks that a party was a little louder than is
0:39:39 > 0:39:42'socially acceptable for that time in the morning,
0:39:42 > 0:39:44'until the video reveals something even more shocking.'
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Later on that morning, following what has happened...
0:39:49 > 0:39:51SHOUTING
0:39:55 > 0:39:59So there, Geoff, we've gone from sort of half past five,
0:39:59 > 0:40:04quarter to six in the morning, through till half past 11 in the
0:40:04 > 0:40:07morning at which point out she pops with a bottle,
0:40:07 > 0:40:11brandishing a bottle above her head and have we identified who that was
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- coming out of the door?- We have identified the person involved.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Obviously we'll be taking the appropriate action that that
0:40:16 > 0:40:20- behaviour warrants.- 'In this instance the footage speaks for
0:40:20 > 0:40:22'itself, but thanks to the new Eyewitness scheme,
0:40:22 > 0:40:26'there is also the ability to measure the impact that this
0:40:26 > 0:40:28'behaviour has on other residents.'
0:40:28 > 0:40:31In terms of the balance of the evidence that you have got here, how
0:40:31 > 0:40:34important, for instance here, was Eyewitness in getting what you got?
0:40:34 > 0:40:36It was incredibly important.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39I mean, the Eyewitness officer obviously is able to take recordings
0:40:39 > 0:40:43from within the block, but also give a personal perspective of what they have
0:40:43 > 0:40:46seen and be able to give their view of how it would feel if they were
0:40:46 > 0:40:48having to put up with living next door to that.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51'Having gathered all the crucial evidence on this first incident,
0:40:51 > 0:40:54'Geoff's ready to send out a clear message.'
0:40:54 > 0:40:58We will be taking enforcement action and will be seeking possession
0:40:58 > 0:41:00- of the property.- Right.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02So you're going to be...the ultimate
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- sanction really as a housing authority.- That's right.- Wow. OK.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07- That's solid. Real action.- It is.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15'The antisocial behaviour is so poor that the only solution is eviction.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19'Geoff must put the safety and security of his other tenants first,
0:41:19 > 0:41:23'but there was also another reported incident that night,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26'this time coming from Catherine's flat,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28'although there were no allegations of violence,
0:41:28 > 0:41:30'there were complaints about noise.'
0:41:30 > 0:41:33The Eyewitness officer made a number of sound recordings.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Were you aware that you were making that much noise?
0:41:36 > 0:41:40- Well, I definitely don't remember anybody singing anyway, that's for sure.- Yeah.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45So the tenant who was claiming quite openly that she was nothing to
0:41:45 > 0:41:49do with this, where does this evidence leave her?
0:41:49 > 0:41:53Well, the Eyewitness officer who attended that
0:41:53 > 0:41:56early morning did witness noise coming from her flat.
0:41:56 > 0:42:02CCTV shows our tenant and her friends entering the flat at exactly
0:42:02 > 0:42:06that time and she's been responsible for that disturbance.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12'The evidence is clear-cut and Catherine will receive a warning
0:42:12 > 0:42:15'about the level of noise and disturbance caused to her neighbours.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19'She's also been told this could affect her tenancy in the future.'
0:42:19 > 0:42:23What difference will it make to the people in that block getting this
0:42:23 > 0:42:27- behaviour under control? - It will make a world of difference.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30Their lives have been in turmoil for months due to the behaviour of these
0:42:30 > 0:42:33people and now we've got the evidence to take the action we need
0:42:33 > 0:42:36- to stop them from doing it in the future.- Good stuff.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Well, as we've just seen, being a housing officer means
0:42:46 > 0:42:49a daily dose of tough choices and difficult decisions,
0:42:49 > 0:42:54but it's all in a day's work for the men and women fighting to
0:42:54 > 0:42:57ensure we can enjoy a safe place to call home.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00That's it for today, but join me again next time when I'll be back on
0:43:00 > 0:43:03the front line with the housing enforcers.