Nine people face eviction by First Choice Homes Oldham

First Choice Homes Oldham's Union Street headquarters. Image courtesy of Google Street View

Nine more people face eviction by First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) as the housing association continues to support Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Vulcan crime crackdown in Derker.

It brings to 18 the total of tenants from across Oldham that could lose their homes because of their offending since the operation began in March.

Seven of the new notices to seek possession are for drug possession, one is for weapons offences and one is for racially aggravated public order.

FCHO has also issued a further 16 tenancy warning letters in support of Vulcan as officers continue the ‘clear’ phase of their operation.

They relate to evidence of assault, affray, public order, drugs and weapons offences.

“We announced in June we wanted to evict nine customers due to criminal activity discovered by Vulcan in the previous three months and this latest tranche of summer notices to seek possession and the warning letters makes it clear we are not finished,” said FCHO chief executive Mark Gifford.

“Our partnership with Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Council on Vulcan is making it crystal clear to those committing criminal activity in our communities that they risk losing their homes because of their offending.”

He added: “FCHO will not tolerate criminal activity in its properties, we remain committed to playing our part in Operation Vulcan and I would like to thank Greater Manchester Police for its excellent work.”

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Kennedy, from GMP’s Operation Vulcan team, said: “We work very closely with FCHO as part of our Op Vulcan work, and I am glad they have now issued a further round of tenancy warning letters.

“It is fair to say that those who undertake crime or anti-social behaviour view things very differently when they learn they may lose their home for it.

“I hope it sends a stark message to those who are engaged in criminality that ourselves and our partners will never hesitate to take action.”

The notices to seek possession have been issued for drugs at: Agecroft in Alt, Unsworth Way in the town centre, Bronte Close in Sholver, Capesthorne Drive in Shaw, Wilson Way in the town centre, Rochdale Road in Clarkwell and at Acre Lane in Derker.

The weapons offences were at Anchor Street in Coldhurst and the racially aggravated public order happened at Gower Street in Oldham.

The warning letters have been issued in Oldham town centre, Littlemoor, Higginshaw, Derker, Sholver, Shaw, Chadderton, Alt, Holts Village and Counthill.

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