NEW law enforcement powers have been used to evict a family accused of causing deliberate fires and criminal damage from their home.

Cleveland Police are believed to be the first police force in the country to use the new Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act in order to evict a family from a house on Steele Street, South Bank, near Middlesbrough.

Cleveland Police said the family had made "made their neighbours' lives hell for more than two years".

Police, social housing landlords Coast and Country Housing and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council applied to the courts for permission to evict a woman, her daughter and three sons in their late teens and early 20s under section 80 of the act.

The agencies built up evidence against the family over two years which included records of them causing deliberate fires; criminal damage; illegal use of off-road motorbikes; noise nuisance and antisocial behaviour.

Cleveland Police even set up a problem solving group to deal solely with this family and agencies regularly offered support and intervention but say there was no improvement.

South Bank Neighbourhood Sergeant Steve Chambers said: “We are delighted that the judge has authorised this closure notice today. Today’s ruling should send out a very clear message that police and partners will not tolerate persistent antisocial behaviour and criminality and we will use every tool at our disposal to deal with anyone taking part in this.”

Barbara Watson, Coast and Country Housing area manager added: “Coast and Country Housing has worked extensively with Cleveland Police and partners to address the anti-social behaviour perpetrated by this family and recently, as part of our investigations, set up a covert operation to gather CCTV evidence of their behaviour.

“In this case the anti-social behaviour was intolerable and decisive action was taken and we would like to thank all the organisations involved. We would also like to thank residents affected for the help they provided in enabling us to work with the Police and other partners to gain a successful outcome. We know that this can be daunting but we believe that the action taken will have a positive impact on their quality of life.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, Barry Coppinger, said: “The new powers which have been used today are a step forward in our aim to reduce antisocial behaviour in our communities.”