Council tenants involved in rioting could face eviction (From This Is Local London)

Wandsworth Council tenants involved in rioting could face eviction

7:40am Thursday 11th August 2011 in News

Wandsworth Council leader Ravi Govindia

Anyone living in council-owned property who is convicted of involvement in Monday night's riots could also face eviction proceedings.

The stern threat has been made by Wandsworth Council's leader, Councillor Ravi Govindia, who stated every rioter must "face the full force of the law".

Coun Govindia visited Battersea town centre on Tuesday alongside London Mayor Boris Johnson and the Home Secretary Theresa May to inspect the damage - and has insisted it is vital the courts impose deterrent sentences on those who took part in the chaos.

He also said those convicted of lesser offences should be made to help out in the communities as a way of paying back for their part in the destruction.

Coun Govindia said: "The courts should have absolutely no hesitation in imposing substantial custodial sentences on the people who committed major offences on Monday night. These serious criminal acts need to be met with serious prison sentences.

"And those who are convicted of lesser offences that would not justify a custodial sentence must be made to make reparations directly to the communities they have harmed.

"All community punishments should be served in Clapham Junction itself. Whether it is litter picking, removing graffiti or any other form of community payback, this must be completed within the town centre itself.

"I also believe that those who are sentenced to this kind of community punishment should wear some sort of high visibility vest that identifies them as having taken part in the disturbances. In this way local people and businesses will see for themselves that justice has been meted out."

He revealed he had instructed the council's housing department to look at ways of evicting council tenants involved in the disorder.

Coun Govindia added: "People who live in council flats should be under no illusions about the fate that awaits them if they are found to have been involved in Monday night’s destruction and thuggery."

Tenancy conditions for council housing prohibit a range of activities including criminal offences.

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