Anti-social Littlehampton family evicted following ‘campaign of abuse’

The family, who for legal reasons cannot be named, were evicted from their home in Dorset Close, after terrified neighbours combined forces with housing association AmicusHorizon and Sussex Police to have them moved out.

One mother-of-two from the road, who for more than two years lived in a state of constant fear because of the family, said that on more than one occasion, one of the “loutish” family members had threatened to break into her home and “beat her up”.

The 35-year-old, whose name is also being withheld for her own safety, said: “They were a complete nightmare.

“The family were so violent, I lived in a constant state of fear, for me and my children.

“It was horrible. They’d play loud music during the early hours of the morning, they were violent and very intimidating.

“All of them would roam the streets drunk. It really was a living hell.”

Under restrictions set by the police and the housing association, following the eviction, the family are no longer allowed to enter the road. Their property is boarded up for the time being.

The Gazette understands a 22-year-old man, from the family, is due to be sentenced at Chichester Crown Court later this month, after pleading guilty to one count of actual bodily harm and two counts of criminal damage.

A spokesman for AmicusHorizon, which manages the properties in the street, said that over the past year, the housing association had been contacted by a number of disgruntled residents who claimed they had experienced a torrent of verbal and physical abuse, noise nuisance and drunken behaviour from members of the now-evicted family.

The spokesman added that AmicusHorizon and Littlehampton police made continual efforts to work with the family to resolve the anti-social behaviour but with little success.

Jacki White, AmicusHorizon’s anti-social behaviour, manager for Sussex, said: “Evicting people from their homes is always our last resort.

“We make sure all residents have the help and support available to maintain their tenancies. But we also know how destructive anti-social behaviour can be and must take the relevant steps to ensure residents feel safe in their communities.”

Sgt Paul Stevens, of Littlehampton neighbourhood policing team, had regular dealings with the family. He said that eviction, in cases like this, was a necessary precaution to protect others in the road.

He said: “It’s a sad occasion when a family lose their home. However, police and landlords have a duty to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, especially when it has such a detrimental effect on the local community. Sussex Police supported AmicusHorizon throughout this process to achieve this positive outcome for Dorset Close residents.”

Anyone who sees one of the barred family members in the street is advised to phone police on 101.