Street violence and house parties - how Sunderland tenants have breached lockdown rules

Engaging in street violence and hosting both house and garden parties are among the coronavirus lockdown breaches committed by housing tenants.
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The Gentoo Group, which manages more than 28,000 social housing properties for Sunderland City Council, has issued warnings to eight families across the city for breaking new laws since the pandemic started.

Having regular visitors from other properties also featured on the list of complaints handled by its neighbourhood enforcement officers.

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Twenty-four cases in total were investigated last week after intelligence sent to both the group and Northumbria Police.

Gentoo neighbourhood enforcement officer Joanne Freeman, left, is working with Northumbria Police to help enforce new coronavirus restrictionsGentoo neighbourhood enforcement officer Joanne Freeman, left, is working with Northumbria Police to help enforce new coronavirus restrictions
Gentoo neighbourhood enforcement officer Joanne Freeman, left, is working with Northumbria Police to help enforce new coronavirus restrictions

Gentoo insists it takes all community safety matters seriously and is remaining vigilant in enforcing tenancy breaches that put other residents at risk.

Nigel Wilson, Gentoo’s chief executive officer, said: “We take our responsibility as a landlord extremely seriously and our work with Northumbria Police means we have been able to help tackle suspected lockdown breaches

across Sunderland and emphasise the importance of abiding by government guidelines.

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“The majority of our tenants have shown true resilience in staying home and following social distancing, helping to protect themselves and others and our teams are working hard to ensure anyone who is breaching the lockdown is directly challenged.”

Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt, southern area commander at Northumbria Police, said: “I would like to thank the overwhelming majority of people who are adhering to the restrictions which are in place to ultimately save lives.

“From the outset, we have been clear that we will engage with members of the public to explain the restrictions and encourage people to follow them.

“We resolve issues every single day by talking to people and reasoning with them and we will continue with this approach.

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“However, if it becomes the case that people are putting others at risk, where appropriate we will make use of whatever legislation available to us to stop this from happening.”

The public can report anyone suspected of breaking the lockdown legislation by contacting Northumbria Police at https://beta.northumbria.police.uk/

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