HOUSING chiefs have vowed to step up their action to get rid of nuisance neighbours on Bolton's council estates.

Latest figures show that problem tenants are on the increase.

But housing bosses are appealing to neighbours to report people who are causing trouble and they will throw them out.

There were 48 incidents of anti-social behaviour in July, August and September last year. This compared with 36 and 32 in two previous quarters.

Behave

Housing chiefs say that "positive action" has been taken against some of the perpetrators. They include 14 tenants being sent letters which warn that they could lose their homes unless they behave themselves.

Two court orders have been served and one tenant has been evicted.

The incidents range from verbal abuse, problems with unruly children, noise nuisance and drug dealers.

Cllr Noel Spencer, housing committee chairman, said: "Anti-social behaviour is a problem, but it is something we are determined to sort out.

"We would urge people to report neighbours to us and not suffer in silence."

Housing chiefs are able to employ professional witnesses which, in some cases, can spare tenants the ordeal of having to give evidence in court.

Bolton's Neighbourhood Dispute Service has also provided assistance in 11 cases and the racial harassment officer in two cases.

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