Council tenants in Barking and Dagenham who carry out acid attacks could lose their home
Councillor Darren Rodwell is the leader of Barking and Dagenham Council. (photo: Arnaud Stephenson) - Credit: photo: Arnaud Stephenson
Acid attackers who live in council properties in Barking and Dagenham could be thrown out of their homes, it has been revealed today.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, leader of the council, has issued a warning following a spate of attacks in East London including an incident in Dagenham on Wednesday evening.
The victim, a man in his 40s, had a corrosive substance squirted in his face in Downing Road.
Cllr Rodwell said the council is looking into what powers it has to take its own action against perpetrators.
One of the options includes evicting council tenants who have been convicted of carrying out an acid attack.
He said: “Acid attacks ruin lives and are sadly becoming all too common.
“We are doing everything we can to work with our colleagues in the police to prevent them from happening and to ensure the perpetrators are caught and brought to justice.
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“The council cannot do it alone, but rest assured I am exploring with officers, everything within our powers as a council including evicting perpetrators who are council tenants.
“We have thousands of honest, responsible people crying out for a council home so I want to make sure that anyone found to be doing this has that privilege taken away and given to someone who truly deserves it.”
The council will make a case to the government and deputy mayor for policing, calling for tougher sentencing and changes to the law so there are greater controls on the purchase of acid.
Cllr Laila Butt, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, is appealing for businesses and the community to help tackle the issue.
“I would like to appeal to parents, neighbours and shopkeepers to be vigilant and play their part in helping us stop these attacks happening,” she said.
“I would ask people to be careful about who they let into their homes, while our CCTV operatives and trading standards officers will double their efforts to help the police with their investigations.”
