Press release dated 9 February 2021
In a first for Wolverhampton Homes, the housing company has been granted a civil injunction order against one of its tenants based in the Wednesfield area, prohibiting the resident from breaching Covid-19 regulations.
The order, which was made by Wolverhampton County Court on 15 January 2021, states that the defendant, who is male and in his 30s, must comply with Covid-19 regulations and prohibits gathering at his home address for as long as the regulations are in place.
Wolverhampton Homes originally sought the order in relation to anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance, but following further complaints, it was identified that the man had repeatedly breached Covid-19 regulations.
Working in partnership with West Midlands Police, Wolverhampton Homes gathered evidence dating back to November 2020, showing that the tenant had been having regular parties at his home. Satisfied with the evidence presented, the judge granted the order in January, which included a specific mention of Covid-19 regulations.
Darren Baggs, Wolverhampton Homes’ Assistant Director for Housing, said:
“This is a significant outcome for Wolverhampton Homes. Civil injunctions allow us greater powers to deal with cases of anti-social behaviour. A breach of a civil injunction can lead to a council tenant losing their home, a hefty fine, and even imprisonment.
“Wolverhampton has seen one of the highest Covid-19 infection rates in the UK. The safety and wellbeing of our communities is our prime concern and we take breaches of Covid-19 regulations very seriously. We will consider similar civil injunction orders against perpetrators of anti-social behaviour who are also found to be ignoring government guidance and putting others at risk.
“We continue to work collaboratively with the City of Wolverhampton Council, West Midlands Police and other key partners to keep our communities safe at this crucial time.”
Superintendent Simon Inglis, from Wolverhampton Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said:
“It was apparent from the start of this pandemic that we would need to work with all of our close partners and stakeholders if we were to protect those who work, visit and live in Wolverhampton from this dreadful virus.
"We fully support the activity undertaken by Wolverhampton Homes and will continue to work closely with them to gather intelligence and information that will, if needed, support further such civil injunctions, moving forward.
"We are still a long way off getting back to a state of normality and our activity and enforcement will alter and adapt in line with behaviours seen in the community. Hopefully the need to seek such injunctions will be rare, but we are ready to support Wolverhampton Homes in their endeavours if the need arises."
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal - Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said:
"The only way we are going to stop the spread of Covid-19 is if we all stick to the rules.
“The vast majority of Wulfrunians have worked incredibly hard over the last few months, doing the right thing and making huge sacrifices along the way so that they adhere to the regulations.
“I am sure they will be pleased to see that action is being taken against others who, through their own thoughtlessness, are putting people’s lives at risk.”
The order expires after 12 months.