I THINK it would be fair to say that Bolton at Home deserve a degree of credit for the initiative they have taken in trying to deal with anti-social and troublesome neighbours.

Unfortunately, I think it would also be fair to say that a large percentage of troublesome neighbours are in fact the tenants of registered social landlords, and private landlords, both of whom appear much less prepared to deal with anti-social tenants than Bolton at Home.

Until Bolton Council stops using the carrot and stick strategy, and starts to use more of a big stick approach to encourage RSLs and private landlords to deal with nuisance neighbours, the problem is not going to be solved. Because, once they are moved on, or evicted from Bolton at Home properties, anti-social tenants will simply move into RSL and privately rented properties.

Anthony Backhouse

Boston Street

Bolton