Highland Council launches Dingwall antisocial behaviour probe after Ross-shire Journal exposed concerns involving violence, drug taking and dog fouling indoors
HIGHLAND Council has launched a probe into antisocial behaviour in a block of flats at the heart of Ross-shire’s county town.
The investigation comes hot on the heels of last week’s Ross-shire Journal report on on a catalogue of concerns that have left a number of locals severely alarmed.
Last week we sought answers about action being taken over claims of drug-taking, violence and destruction of property at Ross Buildings on Mart Road.
A notice was posted on the front door announcing an investigation into “serious and persistent antisocial behaviour (ASB) and apparent breaches of tenancy agreements”.
It is also understood that following our media inquiry there was a flurry of activity inside the building as council staff set to work trying to clean-up dog fouling inside.
On Friday afternoon, two police vehicles were again seen at the address with a Police Scotland spokesperson later saying: "We were called to a report of a disturbance at a property in the Mart Road area of Dingwall. Enquiries are ongoing."
Our report outlined how violence is rife in the block with repeated loud music and noisy arguments, with some people apparently under the influence of drugs and dog fouling in the corridors.
The council notice says bad behaviour “has caused considerable alarm and distress to those affected”.
It says: “Highland Council Housing Services are currently investigating this matter and action will be taken against tenants who are found to have breached the terms of their tenancy agreements. In addition, action may be taken against any person who visits the block and behaves in an antisocial manner which causes or is likely to cause alarm or distress to residents”.
Possible action could include eviction; an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) or reducing a Scottish Secure Tenancy to Short Scottish Secure Tenancy (SSST) – effectively meaning that the agreement is for six months only.
Dingwall and Seaforth Councillor Margaret Paterson said she was aware some tenants “are very distressed” adding: “I have every sympathy with them as they should feel safe and happy in their home.
“I have had meetings with our housing staff and they are doing their best but it is a difficult situation. Antisocial behaviour is never acceptable anywhere and especially not where children or vulnerable people live”.
Fellow ward councillor Angela Maclean said: “Housing staff have for many months been following the correct procedures, in line with council policy to resolve the situation. It is a complicated case.
“Highland Council has a duty of care to tenants and, has arranged for all tenants in the flats concerned, to have the opportunity to raise any issues they have with a housing officer in person. There has already been meetings with the antisocial behaviour officer and some of the tenants.
“I would ask any tenant who has not yet taken up the opportunity to speak with their housing officer to do so. While I can completely empathise with the trauma some tenants have experienced, further action by Housing must be evidence-based.
“The Housing Team are continuing to monitor the situation.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm an internal investigation is taking place and our previous response remains our current position”.
The previous response stated: “All reports of antisocial behaviour cases are taken seriously, investigated with appropriate action taken, and the Council endeavours to keep complainant(s) informed of progress with the case in a reasonable timescale.
“Any concerns regarding criminal activities should be reported to the Police on 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.
“If you are worried that a child is at immediate risk of harm, phone the Police on 999 without delay. If you are worried that a child may be at risk of harm, please visit http://hcpc.scot/professionals for local contact numbers.
“If you are worried that a child may be at risk of harm and it is outwith office hours, phone 0808 175 3646.
“For further information about child protection visit www.hcpc.scot”.
Highland Council launched an anti-social behaviour investigation into a Dingwall “house of horrors” just hours after The Ross-shire Journal sought answers about drug-taking, violence and destruction of property.
A notice was posted on the front door of Ross Buildings on Mart Road dated Wednesday, February 12 announcing a probe into “serious and persistent antisocial behaviour (ASB) and apparent breaches of tenancy agreements”.
It is also understood that following our media inquiry there was a flurry of activity inside the building as council staff set to work trying to clean-up dog fouling inside the building.
Then on Friday afternoon, two police vehicles were again seen at the address with a Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed, saying: "We were called to a report of a disturbance at a property in the Mart Road area of Dingwall. Enquiries are ongoing."
We detailed to the council how violence is rife in the block; repeated, loud music and violent arguments, people apparently under the influence of drugs and dog fouling in the corridors within the building.
In the notice the council accepted that “there has been serious and persistent antisocial behaviour (ASB) and apparent breaches of tenancy agreements” which “has caused considerable alarm and distress to those affected”.
“Highland Council Housing Services are currently investigating this matter and action will be taken against tenants who are found to have breached the terms of their tenancy agreements.
“In addition, action may be taken against any person who visits the block and behaves in an antisocial manner which causes or is likely to cause alarm or distress to residents”.
The notice states: “You, those living with you, and your visitors, must not harass or act in an anti-social manner to, or pursue a course of anti-social conduct against, any person in the neighbourhood”.
Then it details specific examples of antisocial behaviour that reads like a laundry list of the allegations we put to Highland Council, including: make excessive noise; allow pets to foul; allow visitors to your house to be noisy or disruptive.
It continued: use or carry offensive weapons; use or sell unlawful drugs or sell alcohol; harass or assault any person in the house, or neighbourhood; damage our property or any part of the common parts or neighbourhood.
“The above-described behaviours will not be tolerated,” it stated. “Highland Council will take action” and if it has sufficient evidence it could
Such action could include eviction; applying for an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO); reducing a Scottish Secure Tenancy to Short Scottish Secure Tenancy (SSST) – effectively meaning that the agreement is for six months only.
Dingwall and Seaforth Councillor Margaret Paterson said: “I have heard about the issue in Ross Building and tenants are very distressed with the situation and I have every sympathy with them as they should feel safe and happy in their home.
“I have had meetings with our housing staff and they are doing their best but it is a difficult situation. I personally strongly think that children should be in a house with a wee bit garden when possible.
She added: “Antisocial behaviour is never acceptable anywhere and especially not where children or vulnerable people live”.
Fellow ward councillors Angela Maclean said: “Housing staff have for many months been following the correct procedures, in line with council policy to resolve the situation, it is a complicated case.
“Highland Council has a duty of care to tenants and, has arranged for all tenants in the flats concerned, to have the opportunity to raise any issues they have with a housing officer in person. There has already been meetings with the anti-social behaviour officer and some of the tenants.
“I would ask any tenant who has not yet taken up the opportunity to speak with their housing officer to do so. While I can completely empathise with the trauma some tenants have experienced, further action by Housing must be evidence based.
“The Housing Team are continuing to monitor the situation.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm an internal investigation is taking place and our previous response remains our current position”.
The previous response stated: “All reports of anti-social behaviour cases are taken seriously, investigated with appropriate action taken, and the Council endeavours to keep complainant(s) informed of progress with the case in a reasonable timescale.
“Any concerns regarding criminal activities should be reported to the Police on 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.
“If you are worried that a child is at immediate risk of harm, phone the Police on 999 without delay. If you are worried that a child may be at risk of harm, please visit http://hcpc.scot/professionals for local contact numbers. If you are worried that a child may be at risk of harm and it is outwith office hours, phone 0808 175 3646.
“For further information about child protection visit www.hcpc.scot”.
