THURROCK Council portfolio holder for housing, Cllr Barry Johnson, has reiterated the authority's continued intention to clamp down on tenants who abuse their homes and neighbourhoods.

He was speaking in the wake of the council successfully extending closure orders at Basildon Magistrates' Court on two homes in the borough, 3 Poole House, Goodman Road, Chadwell St Mary and 32 Corve Lane, South Ockendon, where nuisance neighbours have been kicked out of their homes.

He told Thurrock Nub News: "We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour by our tenants and take closure orders very seriously.

Their actions can have a devastating effect on neighbours and the community at large.

"In the last two years we have been successful in obtaining 10 closure orders and two closure order extensions.

"Of these, seven tenants were evicted and three were vulnerable tenants rehoused.

"We work closely with partners to take the necessary action to stop residents who are committing offences and ruining the lives of their neighbours through inconsiderate and unlawful activities.

"Rest assured we do all we can to get any council home back into circulation and to be awarded to tenants who will act responsibly and need the help that social housing provides."