THURROCK Council has been awarded a small share of more than £4 million allocated by government to crack down on criminal landlords and letting agents.

The £27,000 funding will be used to develop a multi-agency approach in targeting landlords operating unregistered care homes that provide residential accommodation to young adults from outside of Thurrock.

The council will work with Essex Police and the Youth Offending Service to take enforcement action against rogue landlords and ensure other councils improve their accountability towards young adults in their care.

The initiative will also help disrupt gangs, county lines, stop victims becoming perpetrator and will bolster the council's existing work already taking place.

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "I would like to thank the government for this funding which will mean that we are able to break the cycle of crime some of these young people can fall into when sent to homes in Thurrock by other local authorities.

"By taking this innovative approach we will be able to ensure vulnerable young people moved here get the help and support they need to start their adult lives off on the right track in good quality accommodation."

Cllr Barry Johnson, cabinet member for housing, said: "This initiative will target exploitative landlords and enable good landlords to thrive. By working with landlords to ensure privately rented homes are safe and well managed, we can ensure that those living in shared flats and houses have access to a good quality and safe home."

You can report problem landlords via the red button link below.