Southwark Council seeks to evict those found guilty of rioting
Published 10 August 2011
Southwark Council today (10th August) vowed to seek the eviction of any council tenant found guilty of taking part in riots in the borough.
Southwark issued the warning after seeing Peckham, East Dulwich and the Walworth Road hit by violence and looting with shops vandalised and businesses attacked.
Southwark, which is the largest social housing landlord in the capital, says it will look at the circumstances of each case, but wants to send out a clear signal that those caught rioting must be punished for their actions.
The council is already working with the police to share the names of those who are set to appear in court, in order to make the process of legal action much quicker.
The council will apply to the court seeking possession of the property, and this will be done on a case by case basis.
Cllr Ian Wingfield, cabinet member for housing at Southwark Council, said:
"We deplore completely the criminal acts that were carried out earlier this week and those who are found to be responsible must face the consequences of their actions. As a council we will seek, within the confines of the law, the eviction of anyone living in a council property who is found guilty of these crimes."
